English Burr Elm & Pine Aerial Burr

Sadly the vast majority of our Elms in the UK have been devastated by Dutch Elm disease.  This piece came from the branches of 300 year old tree on a farm in the village of Stonely, Bedfordshire, it was trimmed to try to save it. I was approached by the farmer who wanted the wood to be used rather than become firewood. During the drying process little cracks and voids open up which in a purely decorative piece wouldn't be a problem but an urn needs to be a secure container so all the voids have been filled with bronze epoxy, making a feature of them. It has been finished with multiple coats of a very durable hard-wax  oil which only needs dusting when required.