Evaluating Slab Dimensions for Epoxy River Tables
When selecting timber for a custom river table, two structural dimensions govern your design: log diameter and sapwood thickness. Log diameter establishes the maximum possible width of a continuous, single-piece live-edge slab. Sapwood thickness dictates how much light-colored outer wood borders the epoxy channel or forms the outside edge of the tabletop. According to technical data compiled in the CIRAD Tropix sheets, tropical and temperate timbers vary substantially in both measures.
Top Species Ranked by Large Log Diameter
For large epoxy dining tables, wide conference tops, or single-slab builds with deep epoxy rivers, species harvested from large-diameter trunks offer the necessary surface area. The following exotic species rank among the largest trunk diameters documented in the CIRAD Tropix data:
- Piquia: Log diameter ranges From 90 to 180 cm, with sapwood measuring From 2 to 5 cm.
- Sumauma: Log diameter ranges From 70 to 180 cm.
- Douka: Log diameter ranges From 90 to 150 cm, with sapwood measuring From 4 to 8 cm.
- Okan: Log diameter ranges From 90 to 150 cm, with sapwood measuring From 5 to 8 cm.
- Chengal: Log diameter ranges From 70 to 150 cm, with sapwood measuring From 2 to 5 cm.
- Kosipo: Log diameter ranges From 60 to 150 cm, with sapwood measuring From 4 to 8 cm.
- Mora: Log diameter ranges From 60 to 150 cm, with sapwood measuring From 5 to 15 cm.
- Mersawa: Log diameter ranges From 60 to 150 cm, with sapwood measuring From 5 to 8 cm.
These massive logs allow woodworkers to source wide bookmatched sets or single slabs broad enough to span most of a table width, leaving controlled gaps for resin pours.
Species Sourced from Smaller Logs
At the opposite end of the spectrum, certain exotic hardwoods typically yield much smaller diameters. These species are better suited for narrow river runs, side tables, end tables, or multi-board epoxy assemblies:
- Mountain Pine (Hooked Pine): Log diameter ranges From 20 to 50 cm.
- Dukali / amapa: Log diameter ranges From 40 to 50 cm.
- Snakewood: Log diameter ranges From 25 to 60 cm, with narrow sapwood measuring From 2 to 3 cm.
- Grenadillo: Log diameter ranges From 30 to 60 cm, with sapwood measuring From 1 to 2 cm.
- European Sweet Chestnut: Log diameter ranges From 25 to 60 cm, with sapwood measuring From 1 to 2 cm.
- Ceylon Satinwood: Log diameter ranges From 40 to 60 cm, with sapwood measuring From 4 to 6 cm.
Why Sapwood Thickness Matters for Live-Edge Epoxy Builds
In a river table build, the live edge usually faces into the epoxy pool. Because the outer perimeter of a log consists of sapwood, the width of this zone directly dictates the appearance, density boundary, and color gradient along the resin bank.
Species with Very Thin Sapwood
Woods with narrow sapwood bands allow the dark heartwood to sit directly adjacent to the resin:
- Dina: Sapwood thickness of From 1 to 2 cm (log diameter From 50 to 80 cm).
- Jequitiba: Sapwood thickness of From 1 to 3 cm (log diameter From 70 to 90 cm).
- Mukulungu: Sapwood thickness of From 2 to 3 cm (log diameter From 80 to 120 cm).
- Wenge: Sapwood thickness of From 2 to 3 cm (log diameter From 60 to 100 cm).
- Ekki: Sapwood thickness of From 2 to 4 cm (log diameter From 60 to 100 cm).
Species with Exceptionally Wide Sapwood
Other timbers develop thick outer sapwood layers that create broad bands of contrasting wood tone along the edge:
- Sandbox: Sapwood thickness reaches From 15 to 25 cm (log diameter From 70 to 100 cm).
- White sterculia: Sapwood thickness of From 10 to 20 cm (log diameter From 60 to 120 cm).
- Olène: Sapwood thickness of From 10 to 20 cm (log diameter From 60 to 120 cm).
- Rengas: Sapwood thickness of From 10 to 20 cm (log diameter From 30 to 80 cm).
- Ariella: Sapwood thickness of From 10 to 15 cm (log diameter From 80 to 120 cm).
- Beli: Sapwood thickness of From 10 to 15 cm (log diameter From 80 to 100 cm).
Buying Advice for Wide Slab Selection
When sourcing exotic slabs for an epoxy project, verify both the log diameter capacity and the sapwood margin before planning your layout:
- Calculate Usable Heartwood: If a design requires the deep, uniform color of heartwood against colored epoxy, subtract double the sapwood thickness from the total slab width. For example, on a timber like Mora with sapwood measuring From 5 to 15 cm, heartwood area is reduced considerably more than on a species like Chengal, where sapwood measures only From 2 to 5 cm.
- Match Table Width to Natural Diameter: For dining tables needing 90 cm to 100 cm of total surface, slabs from trees like Piquia (From 90 to 180 cm) or Okan (From 90 to 150 cm) yield wide boards without requiring edge-gluing multiple small planks.
- Plan Seal Coats Around Sapwood Porosity: Sapwood often absorbs liquid differently than heartwood. Always apply a clear wood seal coat along the live edge following the resin manufacturer’s technical data sheet to prevent outgassing bubbles during the main epoxy pour.
| Wood | Log diameter (CIRAD) | Sapwood thickness |
|---|---|---|
| Piquia | From 90 to 180 cm | From 2 to 5 cm |
| Sumauma | From 70 to 180 cm | – |
| Ceiba | From 70 to 150 cm | – |
| Chengal | From 70 to 150 cm | From 2 to 5 cm |
| Douka | From 90 to 150 cm | From 4 to 8 cm |
| Kosipo | From 60 to 150 cm | From 4 to 8 cm |
| Mersawa | From 60 to 150 cm | From 5 to 8 cm |
| Mora | From 60 to 150 cm | From 5 to 15 cm |
| Okan | From 90 to 150 cm | From 5 to 8 cm |
| Gerutu | From 80 to 130 cm | From 6 to 8 cm |
| Nieuk | From 80 to 130 cm | From 5 to 10 cm |
| White seraya | From 80 to 130 cm | From 2 to 7 cm |
| Abarco | From 70 to 120 cm | From 5 to 7 cm |
| African canarium | From 80 to 120 cm | From 5 to 10 cm |
| African walnut | From 60 to 120 cm | From 3 to 7 cm |
| Angelim pedra | From 70 to 120 cm | From 3 to 5 cm |
| Angelim vermelho | From 65 to 120 cm | From 5 to 10 cm |
| Antiaris | From 70 to 120 cm | – |
| Ariella | From 80 to 120 cm | From 10 to 15 cm |
| Brazil nut | From 60 to 120 cm | From 3 to 5 cm |
| Canon ball | From 60 to 120 cm | – |
| Cedrorana | From 70 to 120 cm | From 5 to 8 cm |
| Dabema | From 60 to 120 cm | From 5 to 15 cm |
| Etimoe | From 80 to 120 cm | From 5 to 10 cm |
| Gedu nohor | From 80 to 120 cm | From 6 to 10 cm |
| Gombé towé | From 80 to 120 cm | From 5 to 10 cm |
| Jelutong | From 80 to 120 cm | – |
| Kauri | From 60 to 120 cm | From 8 to 11 cm |
| Keruing | From 70 to 120 cm | From 5 to 7 cm |
| Louro branco | From 50 to 120 cm | From 3 to 5 cm |
| Mango (Machang) | From 90 to 120 cm | – |
| Massaranduba | From 60 to 120 cm | From 4 to 6 cm |
| Merawan | From 60 to 120 cm | From 5 to 7 cm |
| Merbau | From 60 to 120 cm | From 5 to 8 cm |
| Moral | From 80 to 120 cm | From 4 to 6 cm |
| Mukulungu | From 80 to 120 cm | From 2 to 3 cm |
| Ogea | From 70 to 120 cm | From 4 to 12 cm |
| Okwen | From 70 to 120 cm | From 6 to 15 cm |
| Olène | From 60 to 120 cm | From 10 to 20 cm |
| Onzabili | From 65 to 120 cm | – |
| Osanga | From 80 to 120 cm | From 7 to 10 cm |
| Pyinkado | From 100 to 120 cm | From 2 to 5 cm |
| Red balau | From 80 to 120 cm | From 3 to 8 cm |
| Simpoh | From 80 to 120 cm | From 3 to 5 cm |
| Sougué | From 80 to 120 cm | From 2 to 3 cm |
| Tchitola | From 70 to 120 cm | From 6 to 10 cm |
| Utile | From 60 to 120 cm | From 2 to 6 cm |
| White sterculia | From 60 to 120 cm | From 10 to 20 cm |
| Agba | From 70 to 110 cm | From 5 to 10 cm |
| Curupixa | From 50 to 110 cm | – |
| Makoré | From 90 to 110 cm | From 4 to 8 cm |
| Mumuli | From 80 to 110 cm | – |
| African Padauk | From 60 to 100 cm | From 6 to 10 cm |
| African cordia | From 50 to 100 cm | From 4 to 6 cm |
| Alan / Alan-Batu | From 50 to 100 cm | From 4 to 6 cm |
| Alep | From 90 to 100 cm | From 5 to 8 cm |
| Alstonia | From 70 to 100 cm | – |
| Ananta | From 60 to 100 cm | From 2 to 7 cm |
| Andok | From 60 to 100 cm | – |
| Andoung | From 80 to 100 cm | From 5 to 15 cm |
| Angoa | From 60 to 100 cm | – |
| Angueuk | From 80 to 100 cm | From 7 to 10 cm |
| Anzèm / nténé | From 80 to 100 cm | From 10 to 15 cm |
| Beli | From 80 to 100 cm | From 10 to 15 cm |
| Billian | From 60 to 100 cm | From 4 to 9 cm |
| Bintangor | From 50 to 100 cm | From 5 to 10 cm |
| Bitis | From 50 to 100 cm | From 4 to 10 cm |
| Bodioa | From 60 to 100 cm | – |
| Capomo | From 60 to 100 cm | – |
| Cedrinho | From 50 to 100 cm | From 4 to 14 cm |
| Cupiuba | From 60 to 100 cm | From 3 to 8 cm |
| Djedoe | From 70 to 100 cm | From 3 to 6 cm |
| East african bombax | From 60 to 100 cm | From 8 to 10 cm |
| Ekki | From 60 to 100 cm | From 2 to 4 cm |
| Ekop | From 70 to 100 cm | From 2 to 12 cm |
| Erimado | From 60 to 100 cm | – |
| Essia | From 60 to 100 cm | From 8 to 10 cm |
| European Ash | From 40 to 100 cm | – |
| Eveuss | From 60 to 100 cm | – |
| Eyoum | From 60 to 100 cm | From 4 to 8 cm |
| Gheombi | From 70 to 100 cm | From 8 to 10 cm |
| Goiabao | From 60 to 100 cm | – |
| Gombé rouge | From 80 to 100 cm | From 5 to 10 cm |
| Guanacaste | From 60 to 100 cm | From 3 to 6 cm |
| Haldu | From 50 to 100 cm | – |
| Iroko | From 80 to 100 cm | From 5 to 10 cm |
| Izombe | From 70 to 100 cm | From 3 to 5 cm |
| Jacareuba | From 40 to 100 cm | From 5 to 7 cm |
| Kanda brun | From 60 to 100 cm | From 2 to 5 cm |
| Keledang | From 60 to 100 cm | From 5 to 7 cm |
| Kembang semangkok | From 60 to 100 cm | – |
| Landa | From 80 to 100 cm | From 3 to 6 cm |
| Lati | From 80 to 100 cm | From 5 to 8 cm |
| Limbali | From 60 to 100 cm | From 5 to 10 cm |
| Macucu de paca | From 60 to 100 cm | From 5 to 8 cm |
| Mambode | From 70 to 100 cm | From 7 to 10 cm |
| Manilkara | From 80 to 100 cm | From 3 to 8 cm |
| Melancieira | From 60 to 100 cm | From 5 to 10 cm |
| Mengkulang | From 60 to 100 cm | From 2 to 5 cm |
| Merpauh | From 60 to 100 cm | – |
| Moabi | From 60 to 100 cm | From 4 to 6 cm |
| Mubala | From 50 to 100 cm | From 2 to 5 cm |
| Musizi | From 50 to 100 cm | From 3 to 8 cm |
| Nyatoh | From 50 to 100 cm | From 4 to 9 cm |
| Oboto | From 60 to 100 cm | From 3 to 6 cm |
| Ovoga | From 80 to 100 cm | From 2 to 5 cm |
| Ozigo | From 70 to 100 cm | From 5 to 9 cm |
| Ozouga | From 60 to 100 cm | – |
| Padauk amboina | From 50 to 100 cm | From 2 to 5 cm |
| Perupok | From 60 to 100 cm | – |
| Peruvian Walnut | From 80 to 100 cm | From 2 to 5 cm |
| Piquiarana | From 60 to 100 cm | From 3 to 5 cm |
| Punah | From 60 to 100 cm | From 4 to 7 cm |
| Pyinma | From 60 to 100 cm | From 6 to 10 cm |
| Quaruba | From 60 to 100 cm | From 3 to 8 cm |
| Resak | From 80 to 100 cm | From 5 to 10 cm |
| Sandbox | From 70 to 100 cm | From 15 to 25 cm |
| Scented Guarea (Bossé Clair) | From 60 to 100 cm | From 5 to 10 cm |
| Sepetir | From 50 to 100 cm | From 7 to 20 cm |
| Sycamore Maple (Great Maple) | From 30 to 100 cm | – |
| Tasmanian oak | From 50 to 100 cm | From 2 to 4 cm |
| Timborana | From 40 to 100 cm | From 3 to 8 cm |
| Vésámbata | From 80 to 100 cm | From 4 to 6 cm |
| Wacapou | From 40 to 100 cm | From 2 to 3 cm |
| Wamba | From 60 to 100 cm | From 7 to 10 cm |
| Wenge | From 60 to 100 cm | From 2 to 3 cm |
| Zebrano | From 60 to 100 cm | From 6 to 10 cm |
| Abiurana vermelha | From 60 to 90 cm | From 5 to 9 cm |
| Afzelia | From 60 to 90 cm | From 2 to 5 cm |
| Alumbi | From 80 to 90 cm | From 5 to 15 cm |
| Angelim amargoso | From 60 to 90 cm | From 4 to 7 cm |
| Angelin | From 60 to 90 cm | From 3 to 5 cm |
| Aningeria | From 70 to 90 cm | From 3 to 6 cm |
| Ayan | From 60 to 90 cm | From 2 to 4 cm |
| Basralocus | From 50 to 90 cm | From 2 to 10 cm |
| Berlinia | From 60 to 90 cm | From 10 to 15 cm |
| Bilinga / Opepe | From 60 to 90 cm | From 3 to 5 cm |
| Cerejeira | From 50 to 90 cm | From 5 to 8 cm |
| Congotali | From 70 to 90 cm | From 5 to 8 cm |
| Cow tree | From 70 to 90 cm | – |
| Cumaru / Tonka | From 50 to 90 cm | From 2 to 3 cm |
| Dalli | From 50 to 90 cm | – |
| Diania | From 70 to 90 cm | – |
| Difou | From 60 to 90 cm | From 5 to 6 cm |
| Durian | From 70 to 90 cm | From 2 to 5 cm |
| European Beech | From 40 to 90 cm | – |
| Faveira | From 60 to 90 cm | – |
| Freijo | From 50 to 90 cm | From 2 to 4 cm |
| Garapa | From 60 to 90 cm | From 5 to 11 cm |
| Geronggang | From 80 to 90 cm | From 4 to 6 cm |
| Iatandza | From 60 to 90 cm | From 3 to 6 cm |
| Jequitiba | From 70 to 90 cm | From 1 to 3 cm |
| Kanda rose | From 60 to 90 cm | From 2 to 5 cm |
| Kapokier | From 60 to 90 cm | – |
| Kasai | From 60 to 90 cm | From 3 to 5 cm |
| Kedondong | From 60 to 90 cm | From 3 to 5 cm |
| Kelat | From 40 to 90 cm | From 1 to 4 cm |
| Keranji | From 50 to 90 cm | From 3 to 8 cm |
| Louro vermelho | From 50 to 90 cm | From 3 to 5 cm |
| Magas | From 60 to 90 cm | – |
| Marupa | From 50 to 90 cm | – |
| Melunak | From 60 to 90 cm | From 4 to 8 cm |
| Morototo | From 60 to 90 cm | – |
| Niangon | From 70 to 90 cm | From 3 to 4 cm |
| Niove | From 50 to 90 cm | From 8 to 10 cm |
| Ohia | From 60 to 90 cm | – |
| Patula pine | From 40 to 90 cm | – |
| Pterygota | From 80 to 90 cm | – |
| Senegal mahogany | From 50 to 90 cm | From 3 to 8 cm |
| Sesendok | From 65 to 90 cm | – |
| Sterculia | From 60 to 90 cm | From 4 to 6 cm |
| Tali / Missanda | From 60 to 90 cm | From 3 to 6 cm |
| Tamarindo (Groçai-rosa) | From 70 to 90 cm | From 5 to 10 cm |
| Tanimbuca | From 50 to 90 cm | From 3 to 8 cm |
| Tatajuba | From 50 to 90 cm | From 2 to 4 cm |
| Yellow balau | From 70 to 90 cm | From 2 to 8 cm |
| Idigbo | From 65 to 85 cm | From 2 to 5 cm |
| Abura | From 60 to 80 cm | – |
| Araracanga | From 60 to 80 cm | From 3 to 8 cm |
| Atlas Cedar | From 50 to 80 cm | From 4 to 10 cm |
| Batibatra | From 50 to 80 cm | From 3 to 5 cm |
| Black Guarea (Bossé Foncé) | From 60 to 80 cm | From 5 to 10 cm |
| Brown sterculia | From 60 to 80 cm | From 4 to 6 cm |
| Cardeiro / Cedrinho | From 50 to 80 cm | From 5 to 8 cm |
| Copaiba | From 45 to 80 cm | From 2 to 3 cm |
| Coula | From 60 to 80 cm | From 3 to 4 cm |
| Danta | From 50 to 80 cm | From 2 to 5 cm |
| Dina | From 50 to 80 cm | From 1 to 2 cm |
| Ekoune | From 50 to 80 cm | – |
| European Oak | From 40 to 80 cm | From 1 to 4 cm |
| European Silver Fir | From 50 to 80 cm | – |
| European Spruce | From 40 to 80 cm | – |
| European Walnut | From 30 to 80 cm | From 2 to 5 cm |
| Giam | From 60 to 80 cm | From 2 to 5 cm |
| Gommier | From 50 to 80 cm | From 3 to 8 cm |
| Guariuba | From 50 to 80 cm | From 2 to 5 cm |
| Idéwa | From 60 to 80 cm | From 1 to 2 cm |
| Igaganga | From 60 to 80 cm | From 2 to 4 cm |
| Ilomba | From 60 to 80 cm | – |
| Itauba | From 40 to 80 cm | From 2 to 5 cm |
| Jacaranda | From 50 to 80 cm | – |
| Kumbi | From 60 to 80 cm | – |
| Longui | From 60 to 80 cm | From 3 to 4 cm |
| Manchiche | From 50 to 80 cm | From 2 to 5 cm |
| Mandioqueira | From 50 to 80 cm | From 3 to 6 cm |
| Manil / Manni | From 50 to 80 cm | From 4 to 8 cm |
| Manniballi | From 50 to 80 cm | From 3 to 5 cm |
| Mecrussé | From 60 to 80 cm | From 1 to 2 cm |
| Merkus pine | From 60 to 80 cm | From 2 to 5 cm |
| Mutenye | From 40 to 80 cm | From 5 to 8 cm |
| Odoko | From 60 to 80 cm | – |
| Olon | From 55 to 80 cm | From 1 to 2 cm |
| Ossabel | From 60 to 80 cm | From 2 to 4 cm |
| Ossimiale | From 60 to 80 cm | From 5 to 10 cm |
| Owui | From 60 to 80 cm | – |
| Pakuri | From 60 to 80 cm | From 3 to 9 cm |
| Pashaco / paricá | From 60 to 80 cm | – |
| Pau marfim | From 60 to 80 cm | – |
| Pucté | From 40 to 80 cm | From 2 to 4 cm |
| Rengas | From 30 to 80 cm | From 10 to 20 cm |
| Safukala | From 50 to 80 cm | From 7 to 15 cm |
| Sapucaia | From 50 to 80 cm | From 2 to 10 cm |
| Scots Pine | From 30 to 80 cm | From 5 to 10 cm |
| Tauari | From 50 to 80 cm | – |
| Yellowheart | From 40 to 80 cm | From 3 to 5 cm |
| Yemane | From 40 to 80 cm | From 5 to 7 cm |
| Dakama | From 60 to 75 cm | From 4 to 6 cm |
| Ovangkol | From 60 to 75 cm | From 4 to 7 cm |
| Pulai | From 60 to 75 cm | – |
| Baracara | From 40 to 70 cm | From 3 to 15 cm |
| Catucaém / louro faia | From 50 to 70 cm | From 1 to 4 cm |
| European Larch | From 40 to 70 cm | From 1 to 3 cm |
| Mansonia | From 40 to 70 cm | From 2 to 5 cm |
| Maporokon | From 40 to 70 cm | – |
| Muirapiranga / Bloodwood | From 50 to 70 cm | From 4 to 20 cm |
| Ossoko | From 50 to 70 cm | From 5 to 15 cm |
| Sonokeling Rosewood | From 40 to 70 cm | From 2 to 5 cm |
| Suren | From 50 to 70 cm | From 2 to 3 cm |
| Tamalan Rosewood | From 40 to 70 cm | From 3 to 6 cm |
| Uchy | From 40 to 70 cm | From 6 to 20 cm |
| Wallaba | From 40 to 70 cm | From 4 to 6 cm |
| Cryptomeria | From 25 to 65 cm | From 3 to 5 cm |
| Radiata Pine (European Plantation) | From 20 to 62 cm | From 6 to 15 cm |
| Amesclào | From 50 to 60 cm | From 4 to 6 cm |
| Benguet pine | From 50 to 60 cm | From 4 to 5 cm |
| Black wattle | From 30 to 60 cm | From 3 to 8 cm |
| Cabreuva | From 50 to 60 cm | From 4 to 8 cm |
| Ceylon Satinwood | From 40 to 60 cm | From 4 to 6 cm |
| Coconut wood | From 30 to 60 cm | – |
| European Cherry | From 35 to 60 cm | From 2 to 6 cm |
| European Poplar | From 30 to 60 cm | – |
| European Sweet Chestnut | From 25 to 60 cm | From 1 to 2 cm |
| Grenadillo / Grenadille d’Afrique | From 30 to 60 cm | From 1 to 2 cm |
| Kurokai | From 40 to 60 cm | – |
| Macacauba | From 40 to 60 cm | From 5 to 10 cm |
| Macassar Ebony (Ebène Veinée d’Asie) | From 30 to 60 cm | From 7 to 10 cm |
| Maritime Pine | From 20 to 60 cm | From 6 to 12 cm |
| Preciosa | From 40 to 60 cm | From 2 to 6 cm |
| Red grandis | From 30 to 60 cm | From 2 to 4 cm |
| Rubberwood | From 30 to 60 cm | – |
| Snakewood | From 25 to 60 cm | From 2 to 3 cm |
| Vêne | From 30 to 60 cm | From 2 to 5 cm |
| Wamara | From 40 to 60 cm | From 3 to 8 cm |
| Dukali / amapa | From 40 to 50 cm | – |
| Mountain Pine (Hooked Pine) | From 20 to 50 cm | From 5 to 8 cm |
| Muhuhu | From 40 to 50 cm | From 2 to 4 cm |
| Rosewood Para | From 30 to 50 cm | From 1 to 2 cm |
| Pau mulato | From 30 to 40 cm | – |
Data compiled by BigEpoxy from individual CIRAD Tropix 7 technical sheets (average values for mature wood).
Sources
Published October 31, 2026. Sources are linked in the text.
Header image: original graphic by BigEpoxy.com.
Staff note: For projects where you plan to remove the live edge entirely to cast crisp rectangular river channels, species such as Sandbox (sapwood From 15 to 25 cm) or White sterculia (sapwood From 10 to 20 cm) will sacrifice a massive percentage of their overall board width during edge trimming compared to tight-sapwood timbers like Mukulungu (From 2 to 3 cm). (Source: CIRAD Tropix 7 technical sheets (index).)