The Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers
Farmers and landowners in the East Anglian Fens – and their counterparts in Leyland, Lancashire – often unearth this extraordinary timber in the course of their work. They will be heartened to know that there is an increasing market out there, as furniture makers see this as a viable timber.
Carbon dating work shows that the English Bog Oak is between 2000 and 5000 years old – that in Ireland is sometimes found to be over 7000 years old!
The theory is that the trees became swamped by rising water levels caused by climate change. The interaction of the tannins in both the oak and the soil caused the black effect which is so prized. If owners of bog oak timber would like to be put in touch with furniture makers, then they should contact the W.C.F.M. with details.
With thanks to Ian Tyers of Dendro Labs in Sheffield for his guidance.
*W.C.F.M., Painter’s Hall, 9 Little Trinity Lane, London EC4V 2DB.