In 2014 an iconic black pine (Pinus nigra) growing at the Botanic Garden in central Oxford split in half and had to be felled. Planted c 1830, this much loved tree was known to many as ‘Tolkien’s pine’ as it was a favourite of JRR Tolkien who was a regular visitor to the Garden. After being felled, much of the usable timber was sawn into planks and set aside to season at the Arboretum. In celebration of the 400th anniversary of the Botanic Garden we designed and made a range of limited edition products from this wood, including boxes to house a special whisky produced by the Oxford Artisan Distillery.
“We are excited to be launching this limited edition whisky along with unique boxes and coasters crafted from wood of the Black Pine – better known as Tolkien’s Pine…it was important to us that the project included local artisans and craftspeople and we have worked hard to create the ideal whisky gift to remember this famous tree in our 400th anniversary celebrations.”
Professor Simon Hiscock, Director of the Oxford Botanic Garden and Arboretum