[Woodcarver] I got 50,000 year old wood for Christmas (Kauri).

[Mike and Patty]

Joe  thank you so  much for sharing this story with us--


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Joe Dillett" <jdillett at thecarvingshop.com>
To: "! Joe Dillett (List)" <woodcarver at six.pairlist.net>
Sent: Tuesday, December 27, 2005 9:31 AM
Subject: [Woodcarver] I got 50,000 year old wood for Christmas (Kauri).



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> What did you get for Christmas? I got a wonderful piece of Karui about 9 X 

> 12 X 2-inches thick.

>

> This ancient wood is called Kauri (cow-re). It is the world's oldest wood. 

> It comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.

>

> Here is what is written about it.:

>

> "Ancient Kauri is the world's oldest workable timber.

>

> The prehistoric Kauri forests that grew 50,000 years ago are preserved 

> under the surface of the North Island of New Zealand.

>

> Buried under a peat swamp by an unexplained act of nature at the end of 

> the last Ice Age, the trees have survived the centuries in an underground 

> resting place, sealed in a chemically blanced environment that has 

> preserved the timber in perfect condition.

>

> The trees grew for nearly 2000 years before they were buried. Some have a 

> girth of around 40 feet, and a total height of nearly 200 feet. They are 

> among the largest trees in the world.

>

> Extraction of the logs is time consuming, expensive and technically 

> difficult requiring skilled operators of heavy machinery. Working in wet 

> conditions each log must be carefully brought to the surface. Once removed 

> from the ground the log is assessed, than milled to yield the best grain 

> and timber qualities. After the log has been removed, the area is than 

> restored to its original contours with no environmental consequences.

>

> Despite its long burial, with careful selection, cutting and drying, the 

> wood maintains its beautiful qualities and finishes to a rich cognac 

> shade. When polished the wood is a deep color with hues, textures and 

> sheen's that constantly change under different shades of light. It 

> literally glistens as if lit from beneath the surface.

>

> Extensive scientific Radio Carbon Dating tests have done on samples of 

> Ancient Kauri by independent organizations that include:

>

> The University of New Zealand in Walkato

>

> The University of Sydney, Australia

>

> The New Zealand Institute of Nuclear Science

>

> Beta Analytic Inc. of Miami, Florida, the United States leading laboratory 

> for radio carbon dating analyses.

>

> Dating has proven beyond doubt that these Kauri forests grew during the 

> period 30,000 to more than 50,000 years ago.

>

> Scientists are also studying the growth rings of Ancient Kauri to piece 

> together a look at the environment of our planet before the arrival of 

> modern man.

>

> Every finished piece becomes a collectable investment proven to stand the 

> test of time. It is not known how much Ancient Kauri lies beneath the 

> ground. Because there is a finite amount of Ancient Kauri available, you 

> will want to take advantage of having the privileged opportunity to use 

> and enjoy this distinctive and extremely rare wood."

>

> Sharon purchased a piece of this Ancient Kauri (about 9 X 12 X 2-inches) 

> for about $50. She got it from The Hardwood Connection (815-895-8733) in 

> Sycamore Illinois. The Hardwood Connection got it from the wholesale 

> company Ancientwood, Ltd. 160 Madeline Island, La Pointe, WI. 54850 USA. 

> There website is http://www.ancientwood.com

>

> I don't know what I'll be carving in it yet. These trees have grown for 

> 2000 years and were buried before man was put on this earth. What an Ice 

> Age to have been able to bulldoze whole landscapes pushing mountains of 

> earth and burying trees so large that a house could fit inside. I'm 

> guessing that I'll be carving something religious trying to show the power 

> of God's creation and that it was all done for us. How does an artist show 

> that? I'm thinking that God has returned a piece of that history to me so 

> I could realize that all this creation was for you and me and every human 

> life born and unborn. We use the resources of the earth older than these 

> trees like oil and diamonds without much thought as to their age but 

> somehow this wood is different to me. Perhaps because it was a living 

> thing and remains in almost exactly the same form as it did back 50,000 

> years ago.

>

>

> Joe Dillett

> The Carving Shop

> 645 E. LaSalle St. Suite 3

> Somonauk, IL. 60552

> (815) 498-9290 phone

> (815) 498-9249 fax

> http://www.thecarvingshop.com

> jdillett at thecarvingshop.com

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