Kauri Creations and Innovations
We exclusively work with Ancient Swamp Kauri. Working it into natural shapes of all sizes, and careful application of different finishes to enhance the natural beauty of this unique and precious timber.
Brief Overview of the Kauri Tree
The Kauri Tree is one of New Zealand’s largest tree species and is also one of the world’s largest and longest living trees. Kauri forests are some of the world’s oldest, its ancestors date back to the Jurassic period, 190 million years ago. Living Kauri Trees have been dated at 4,000 years old, though none of these trees are still alive today. There is an ancient Kauri tree alive in New Zealand named Tāne Mahuta (meaning ‘Lord of the Forest’ in Maori). It’s 51m (168ft) tall and a 4.4m (14ft) in diameter at the trunk. The tree is thought to be between 1,250 and 2,500 years old.
Kauri timber is very strong and from the mid 1800s kauri forests were cut down and used for building boats and houses. By the year 1900 less than 10% of the original Kauri population was left standing. This provoked major efforts to preserve the native tree and it is now prohibited to cut down any living trees.
Ancient Swamp Kauri Gum
Kauri gum forms when resin from kauri trees seeps through fractures or cracks in the timber, hardening upon exposure to air.
Lumps commonly fall to the ground and can be covered with soil and forest litter, eventually fossilising.
Other lumps form as branches forked or trees are damaged, releasing the resin.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is the wood?
The age of swamp kauri varies from thousands to hundreds of thousands of years. This makes the Swamp Kauri we use for all our creations the oldest workable wood in the world.
How is ancient swamp kauri formed?
Thousands of years ago a number of huge natural disasters caused many Kauri forests to be flattened and the trees to be buried in swamps. The wood was perfectly preserved.
How long does it take to make a kauri clock?
Getting the wood from a raw stump, straight from the ground, into a finished product is a lengthy process. This process includes, removing the dirt and peat out of the extravagant root structures, drying the wood, working it into natural shapes of all sizes, and careful application of different finishes to enhance the natural beauty of this unique and precious timber.
How valuable is ancient swamp kauri?
The value is determined by it’s rarity, and the overall beauty of the grain and it’s colours. Kauri is a protected species and living trees are not allowed to be cut or damaged so the supply of Kauri wood and gum is finite, once it’s used up there is no more.
Got questions?
Feel free to reach out.