Our love of oak works on both a practical and an emotional level. It speaks to our heads and our hearts, if you like.
The heritage of this timber will forever feel quintessentially British. But, in fact, it grows all over the world and, interestingly, other nations hold it in equally high regard. From German folk tales to Native American Indian stories, the oak tree represents sagacity, steadfastness and loyalty.
It also speaks of majesty: Roman emperors wore crowns woven from oak leaves and Charles II found shelter in the hollowed trunk of an oak – from which the popular pub name, The Royal Oak, stems.
Oak has also been prized through the ages for its strength as a building material. The Tudors used it for their solid oak beams which still hold fast today. The Georgians adored wrapping their rooms in warm and rich oak panelling. And the first Windsor chairs were hewn from solid, dependable oak. Denser than pine, but more easily obtainable than hardwoods such as mahogany, oak has always been a lovely timber to work with, hone and cut. Ask any carpenter – ours included.