No problem on world's longest Ancient Kauri wood table

Whether it becomes an enormous dinner table, an impressive corporate boardroom table, or an installation in a Natural History Museum, at 40-feet in length, the world's largest solid piece of wood will be the focus of architects and designers alike. It arrived in the U.S. this past week at Ancientwood, Ltd, in Ashland, Wisconsin, the exclusive U.S. importer of the Ancient Kauri.

The wood traveled across the Pacific Ocean from New Zealand to Long Beach, California. It was transported by rail and truck to Ancientwood, on the shores of Lake Superior. Along with this spectacular board, the company received its usual large variety of beautiful slabs and timbers.

“It's a phenomenal piece of wood,” said Robert Teisberg, Ancientwood's President, “and the fact that the species is 50,000 years old makes it even more exotic.” The Ancient Kauri contains distinctive wood grains and has a rich gold and cognac color with remarkable iridescence. “Ancient Kauri remains a somewhat undiscovered treasure here in the US, but it is gaining popularity among discriminating architects and designers looking for a very unique species of wood to use in their projects”, Teisberg added.

This is not the first time Ancientwood has been in the News for a remarkable piece of wood for sale: In May of 2008 Ancientwood supplied the largest board in the US, and made a twenty-foot solid Ancient Kauri table that comfortably seats twenty-six people for a vineyard in Napa Valley.

The wood qualifies for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) credits it is sought after by the leading architects and designers in green building and design.

Ancient Kauri wood is the oldest workable timber on earth. Every Kauri tree grew for at least 1,200 years before being felled naturally. It was then preserved underground in nearly perfect condition for 50,000 years.

The 40-foot Ancient Kauri board can be seen here. Additional slabs and pieces are also available online and can be viewed here.