Stanbridge Drum Company

Ancient Kauri - Simply Unbelievable

It is known to be the oldest workable timber in the world. Discovered on the Northern Island of New Zealand in 1987, some of these massive logs had remained undisturbed for 50,000 years or more.

Extensive scientific Radiocarbon dating by independent organizatons including the University of Sydney, Australia and the University of Waikato, New Zealand have shown that these Kauri trees grew during the period from 30,000 to more than 50,000 years ago, and it is possible that the wood even predates this period.

Buried under peat swamps by an unexplained act of nature before the last Ice Age, the trees were left lying just beneath the surface. This underground resting place, sealed from the air, became a perfectly balanced cocoon that preserved the timber in pristine condition.

Ancient Kauri has a beautiful and distinctive grain. When polished, the wood is a deep golden colour with hues, textures and sheens that change under differing shades of light. Its physical properties are somewhat similar to Cherry in terms of density and hardness, and acoustically it features a rich and prominent low end resonance with a medium sustain time.

Extraction of the logs is time-consuming, expensive and technically difficult, requiring skilled operators of heavy machinery. Working in wet conditions, logs must be carefully coaxed to the surface. Once removed from the ground, each log is assessed, then milled to yield the best grain and timber qualities.