Gold of the forest to pride of the sea - Over one hundred year old pine gets new life at Sørlandet
When the Norwegian The Ship Sørlandet needed a new ship's deck, a very special material was found in the forests around Elverum. The centuries-old pine forest there contains trees with a core of naturally impregnated wood, perfect for withstanding the marine environment. This "gold timber", as it was called, is the result of several generations of forestry and natural growing conditions.
The project was a unique combination of traditional craftsmanship and modern forestry. The special timber from Elverum was handpicked and transported to Kristiansand to replace the old deck of the ship. Sørlandet. The Ship was built in 1927, is an important cultural monument and is still used as a school ship.
The new deck of Elverum pine ensures that Sørlandet can continue to sail the world's oceans for many years to come. At the same time, this is an example of how sustainable forestry and traditional craftsmanship can be combined to preserve both cultural heritage and natural resources.
- Special timber: Mature pine forests in Elverum contain trees with a core of naturally impregnated wood, perfect for ship decks.
- Historical context: The timber was felled after over a hundred years and has a direct connection to the construction of Sørlandet.
- Traditional craftsmanship: The new deck was made using traditional boatbuilding techniques.
- Sustainability: The project shows how forestry and cultural heritage can be combined in a sustainable way.
Imagine that the seeds of the materials for the new main deck were planted around the time the plans for Sørlandet came into being in 1918. Now, the seeds that became great Scots pine will provide important social benefits for another 40-50 years! They have been growing for over a hundred years and have a core of naturally impregnated wood, known as ore, which makes them resistant to rot and moisture. Just perfect!
