Chilean Pine (araucaria araucana) or Monkey Puzzle as it is more commonly known is often described as a living fossil due to the longevity of this species and is also the national tree of Chile. They can grow to an enormous size, 1 - 1.5m in diameter and 30 - 40m in height and live to be more than 1000 years old but they don’t tolerate exposure to pollution.
I was offered the whole tree by a forestry contractor who was tasked with it’s removal from a large estate in the Cotswolds, it was only about 15m tall. A distinctive characteristic of Monkey Puzzle is that the branches grow in horizontal rings at regular intervals up the tree.
This slice of tree was left out in the elements to spalt, resulting in discolouration varying from apricot to dark chocolate. The lid was made from one of the knots from the tree and has a hand cut 12tpi thread ensuring a secure closure. It has been finished with multiple coats of eco friendly waterborne lacquer which requires no maintenance other than dusting.
The urn has a capacity of 6 ltrs which is more than enough for two sets of ashes.