part of Jewish tradition, while the decorated synagogue floors and walls were not rediscovered until the twentieth century. The human figures, usually of Biblical heroes found there(DuraEurope, 256 C.E.; Mopsuestia, 520 C.E.; Gaza , 510 C.E.; Bet Alfa, 520 C.E.) disappeared in subsequent synagogue construction and were avoided until modern times through a strict interpretation of the second commandment(Ex.. 20:4; Deut. 5:8; A.Z. 43b; R.H. 24b: Tur, Shulhan Arukh, Yoreh Deah 14).
As a Reform Jewish community, we would have no objection to using such mosaics either in the floor of the synagogue or for that matter, as a design on one of the walls. After all, such idolatry has been completely foreign to us for a very long time. Your thought of using wood of some biblical trees is novel and to the best of my knowledge has not been considered by anyone. Let us pursue that a bit further. There are no negative connotations about using such wood, although the author of Deuteronomy and the prophets expressed considerable concern about worshiping under terebinths, probably tamarisks(Tamarix pentandra), acacias(Acacia raddiana), or other species, as described by Irene Jacob , Plants of The Bible and Their Uses(Pittsburgh : Rodef Shalom Press, 2003).
These sacred trees were problematic throughout the biblical period and worship under them was denounced(Deut. 12:2; Jer. 2:20). Of course, even earlier, the patriarchs erected altars under such trees(Gen. 12:6; 21:33). Upon entering the Land of Israel, effort was made to eliminate these trees and the high places associated with them. This met with limited success until the end of the biblical period. Subsequently there were no objections, and some scholars even reported gardens around their synagogues (Shalom Schwadron , Responsa I, 127: VL. 17).
You, however, have not asked about living trees, but about the wood of biblical trees. That never presented a problem. After all, several types of wood were used extensively in the desert tabernacle. Later in the construction of Solomon's Temple, cedars of Lebanon (Cedrus libani), a much more sophisticated and rare wood, was extensively used and brought to Jerusalem for this purpose at very great expense.
Much of ancient Israel was heavily forested, but because of weather conditions, trees were often not large. Furthermore, the very rugged nature of the countryside, with its numerous ravines, made access to large trees extremely difficult. Wood, in