The OneOak project was launched publicly yesterday with the felling of the 160 year old oak tree.

More than 400 people braved the snow and sleet to walk into the wood on the Blenheim Estate.  Two hundred and fifty primary school children displayed work that they had been doing under the project for other guests to see. Hot chocolate, brewed on an open fire, warmed cold fingers.  Demonstrators showed guests how oak is cleaved to make roofing shingles, how charcoal is made, and how green wood is turned.  The first product from the tree, firewood logs, was made by a local firewood merchant.  Researchers from Forest Research decended on the felled tree to start weighing every branch and twig.

These and many more were just some of the highlights of the day.  The felling of the OneOak tree was dramatic and touched every one watching in different ways.

We owe a huge thank you to everyone who supported us on the day, and to those who will continue to work with us in the project.  Please come back here soon to see photos and video taken at the event today, to find out the results of the research, and to see how many beautiful things we can make from the OneOak tree.

Read more on our project website:  www.OneOak.info