Tables made from 50,000 year old Ancient Kauri Wood

“You make tables from giant tree trunks and roots that are between 9,000 and 50,000 years old!?” was my astonished reply on the phone. Michael Beaupoil, a German master cabinetmaker had enquired if I could help with adapting his web pages for an English-speaking audience. How could I resist, with my nickname of ‘Mammoth Man” at the Norris Museum.

Table made from Anckent Kauri wood by Master Cabinetmaker Michael Beaupoil

Modern Kauri tree, indidual
 named Tāne Mahuta ('Lord of the Forest')

Stands of Kauri trees still grow to this day in New Zealand but are strictly protected (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agathis_australis). The island has a unique range of tree species that encompasses not only the Kauri but also other members of the podocarp family, with evocative names such as Rimu, Kahikatea, Miro, Mataī and Tōtara (http://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-plants/podocarp-hardwood-forests/). Originating back to the era when New Zealand was part of the supercontinent of Gondwanaland, more than 500 million years ago, they have evolved to be a vital part of the native ecosystem. Many of these trees are giants and the Kauri is enormous, with trunk diameters of up to 5m and reaching heights of 50m. The largest trees can be over a thousand years old.

So how do you get ancient Kauri, more than 9,000 to 50, 000 years old? New Zealand is a geologically active country and, with an age of up to 1,000 years, Kauri trees do succumb to natural disasters such as storms or the last ice age! Some felled trees slid down mountainsides into wet moor and bogs. If they were fully submerged, the lack of oxygen would prevent decay and preserve the immersed tree roots and trunks, known as Swamp Kauri or Ancient Kauri (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swamp_kauri).

There are bogs in New Zealand where several layers of such preserved tree trunks have been preserved. In certain circumstances, and with strict regulation, some of these giant Ancient Kauri tree trunks can be mined.

Due to its age, durability, fineness of grain and own distinctive golden iridescence, the timber from such trees is highly prized by craftsmen, cabinetmakers and wood-turners.

Master Cabinetmaker Michael Beaupoil is one such person that has dedicated his life and craft to lovingly reveal the inner beauty of Ancient Kauri wood in large tables. These grace the large conference rooms, office and homes of those who can afford them. They are also an investment as the Ancient Kauri Wood is a limited, high value resource.

As well as working on the text of Michael’s site (see http://goo.gl/yJ6IeX), I was intrigued enough to send off for seeds of such ancient trees. Kauris take a long time to germinate – I’m a month in and it could be another one to two months till I can expect to see a seedling, if I’m lucky. However, I already have two Araucaria (Monkey Puzzle) seedlings and will be planting some Ginko tree seeds soon too.