The Diamond Jubilee Fenland Black Oak Project - A Gigantic 5,000 Year Old Oak Tree

[6Foot2]

Link: The Diamond Jubilee Fenland Black Oak Project - A gigantic 5,000 year old oak tree. An extraordinary challenge. An unprecedented masterpiece. A gift to the nation.

 

http://www.thefenlandblackoakproject.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/1-fenland-black-oak.jpg

 

... a unique 5,000 year old sub-fossilised trunk of an ancient giant oak (Fenland Black Oak or bog oak) was discovered in the Fens near Ely on the Cambridgeshire/Norfolk boarder...

[sic]

 

...Hamish Low said on first sight of this tree:

 

“I have been processing bog oaks for 20 years and when I saw this one it took my breath away, not just because of it’s size but due to the degree of it’s preservation. I actually think that this tree is of national importance because it gives us the opportunity to mill and dry planks of this unprecedented size, we can then use them to create an incredible table top 44ft long out of the nations rarest and most precious native hardwood. This will give an insight into the majesty and grandeur of these ancient high forests. In short, we can hopefully create an unprecedented masterpiece and give it to the nation to be put on public display..."

[synaesthesia]

Always in two minds about these projects.

 

On one hand - wow. What a find. Preserve it!

 

On the other - let's chop it up and make a table out of it... :|

[Dos_Box]

TBH, it was preserved. Once you expose it to the air/elements, it will begin to rot and there is nothing you can do. To preserve it from the atmosphere will be hugely expensive. It will be much better used doing what they plan to do with it. I have no doubt that a large portion will be kept for scientific purposes as well as for museum exhibits.