Wealden Tools proud to sponsor the Fenland Black Oak Project

In 2012 a Fenland farmer’s plough hit an absolutely gigantic black oak tree, which had been buried deep beneath the peat for 5,000 years. Black oak is by far the nation’s most ancient, rarest and valuable native hardwood and at over 13 metres long, the Jubilee Oak is a giant amongst giants. It was immediately recognised there was a need to preserve such a rare discovery. With no budget and against all the odds companies were approached to support this unique project. A vast sawmill was flown over from Canada and, astonishingly, the tree produced 10 magnificent sequential boards unlike anything seen before. The boards were transported to the Building Crafts College in Stratford, East London, where a specifically designed 14 metre drying kiln had been constructed. Nine months later 397 gallons of water had been extracted, the boards’ weight had been reduced by 1.6 tons and ten breathtakingly beautiful flat and true sequential boards of 13.2 metre long appeared. This was a unique creative opportunity and a team of dedicated craftspeople decided to try and preserve the full length of this exceptional Fenland giant for the nation by creating an iconic table.

For more information on Wealden Tools proud to sponsor the Fenland Black Oak Project talk to Wealden Tool Co Ltd