Clairemont Resident Turns Local Trees into Works of Art

When Clairemont resident Monica Bockman started her career in engineering, she never thought she’d become a high school teacher. But she did. And when she retired from teaching, she didn’t imagine she’d help launch an entirely new business creating charcuterie boards from locally grown trees, either. But that’s exactly what she’s doing now, and she’s loving it.

In a way, she’s returning to her roots. Monica studied horticulture, which is part art and part science, with an emphasis on sustainability. And that’s precisely what her new business, Tree to Table San Diego, is all about.

From Discarded Waste to Functional Art

Monica, a certified arborist, partnered with her friend, Brian Bishop, an arborist and owner of Bishop’s Tree Service, to form Tree to Table. Their mission is to create what they call custom works of art from discarded trees. Their handcrafted charcuterie boards are the true definition of upcycling and sustainability.

“Brian’s job is removing trees, and that beautiful wood would often go to waste,” explained Monica. “We wanted to give those trees a second life, so we started creating charcuterie boards that celebrate the natural beauty of those trees.”

And, oftentimes, the reveal of that natural beauty is quite striking. Take the Hollywood juniper tree, for example. Planted, this coniferous tree makes a visual statement all on its own. Repurposed as a charcuterie board, it’s akin to opening a beautifully wrapped Christmas present—only to discover an even more beautiful gift inside. Warm, reddish heartwood swirls with creamy blond sapwood to create an elegant backdrop for serving fruits, cheese, and meats.

The Process

Tree to Table sources its wood from local tree species that are being discarded, including avocado, juniper, eucalyptus, olive, cork oak, and sycamore. Normally, this wood would meet its fate in a wood chipper.

Instead, the team at Tree to Table evaluates the discarded trees to determine which of them can be salvaged to create charcuterie boards.

The eligible logs are transported to the company’s sawmill in Fallbrook. There, they are air-dried until they are ready for milling. Once dry, the logs are cut into slabs, carefully stacked with spacers to promote airflow, and then dried further.

After the slabs of wood are fully dry, they are ready for shaping. This is where the true magic and artistry happen. The woodworker analyzes each slab, using its inherently unique patterns to guide the shaping process. Once shaping is complete, the board is sanded up to five layers to achieve a buttery-smooth finish.

For additional protection, the wood is hand-treated with a protective layer of organic beeswax and food-grade mineral oil. This highlights the natural beauty of the wood’s coloring and creates a barrier between the food that will be placed on the wood.

These pieces are meant to withstand for many years.

One of a Kind

Just as we each have our own unique imprint, so does each tree. Genetics, environment, and pruning all contribute to the characteristics of that tree. Tree to Table uses those salient characteristics to guide the creation of each of its pieces.

“Every board has its own story grown from a tree right here in San Diego,” emphasized Monica. “The tree that might have once shaded a yard or lined a neighborhood street gets a second life through our boards.”

And because of the unique story of each tree, there are no cookie-cutter creations or standard molds.

“We don’t mass produce anything,” noted Monica. “The grain pattern, knots, and color variations are what make each board special. Sometimes the natural edge or shape of the tree becomes the highlight of the design.”

The Future of Tree to Table San Diego

Like a young tree establishing roots, Tree to Table is currently in that same phase of its business. Monica dedicates a significant amount of her time to attending events to showcase and sell her work. The website is not yet set up for direct sales, but that’s a future goal.

In addition, Monica would like to expand into local shops and collaborate with local wineries, restaurants, and other complementary businesses.

While the primary focus of Tree to Table is charcuterie boards, they’ve already begun to think beyond that, using their reclaimed wood to create pieces such as wall-mounted coat racks.

“Long term, we want to continue to build awareness about sustainable wood use and craftsmanship right here in San Diego,” she said.

Like any new business owner, Monica is faced with the numerous complexities of launching a startup. But she’s also motivated by the feedback she receives from customers.

“When someone picks up a piece and we tell them which San Diego neighborhood that wood came from, their eyes light up. It’s meaningful and so much more than just another run-of-the-mill product they can buy from a commercial corporation,” said Monica. “There’s a story attached to it, and we can share that story with our customers.”

Buy Your Own Work of Art

Tree to Table participates in various pop-up events across San Diego County. You’ll find Monica and her team at wineries, farmers’ markets, and other locations where you can see a full display of their charcuterie boards in person. You can also reach out directly to custom-order a piece based on your specifications.

“Custom orders are a great option for things like wedding gifts or other special occasions. We can also do custom engraving to make the piece even more personal,” said Monica. “Otherwise, visit us at an event to touch and feel the different boards in person.”

Please visit Tree to Table’s event page for a list of upcoming events. Events are also posted on their Instagram.