Handmade Myrtlewood Garden Trug
Handmade, Always in Demand.
A classic garden essential, the trug is a sturdy, shallow, footed basket traditionally used for gathering flowers, herbs, and fresh-picked produce.
Each one is made entirely by hand, shaped and fastened with copper nails, then air dried, hand sanded, and finished with a clear mineral oil. Built to last, it’s a piece meant to be used often and kept for years—developing a rich character that reflects time, care, and the work it carries.
Please Note: Trugs are crafted slowly by hand, which means each batch is produced in limited quantities. Because of this, they often sell out before the next shipment is ready. If you see “Sold Out,” simply click Notify Me to receive an alert as soon as we restock.
Dimensions
- Large Trug: 10 H x 20 L x 11 W in
- Small Trug: 9 H x 13 L x 7 W in
Care Instructions:
Do not leave your basket exposed to continuous sun or rain, oil it occasionally with food safe mineral oil, and you will enjoy your basket for a lifetime!
Before turning to basketmaking, Don Barber spent more than 40 years building wooden ships in Coos Bay, Oregon—work that demanded precision, durability, and a deep understanding of wood. When he retired from shipbuilding in 1979, he carried those exacting standards into a new family venture, handcrafting baskets from locally sourced myrtlewood, a rare, fine-grained hardwood native to a small region of the Pacific Northwest, fastened with traditional copper nails.
That shipbuilder’s mindset still defines the work today. The business remains family-run, using many of the same tools and techniques honed in the boatyard. Some of the earliest baskets are still in daily use in the shop—built not just to be admired, but to last. Often called “collector’s items,” they’re valued just as much for their utility as for the legacy of craftsmanship behind them.