Oak trees are always a unique sight in the wild, but they also look back to a time when oak trees were crucial for Denmark’s security, when they had the same strategic significance in Europe as oil has today. Many of the oak trees now found in our forests were actually planted in the early 1800s for a serious purpose.
History of the “Naval Oaks”
Up to the early 1800s, Denmark had one of the strongest navies in Europe. In 1807, however, Denmark lost the Battle of Copenhagen to the British navy led by Lord Nelson, and six years later, the British attacked again. This time, the Copenhagen they left behind had been bombed to pieces. Many warships had been sunk or burned, and the rest were confiscated. At the time, Denmark’s forests were extremely depleted, and as it took 1,500 fully grown oak trees to build one ship of the line, the need for wood was enormous. There were simply not enough oak trees to build a new navy. And without a navy, Denmark was defenceless. Unfortunately, the royal decrees for securing the future supplies of the navy’s oak did not have the intended effect until 200 years later. That explains why stands of the navy’s old oak trees are found here and there in the forests of Denmark. Waiting to serve another, more peaceful purpose.
Built of old giants
In 2002, Dinesen was contacted by British architect John Pawson, who asked us to make 600 square metres of flooring in thick, wide oak planks for a project in London named “Sky Suite”. We had already had the pleasure of using “naval oaks” in making the floor planks for the frigate Jylland, the longest existing wooden ship in the world. The lessons learned from this project – and the historical connection between the United Kingdom and Denmark’s oak trees – were decisive.
Dinesen decided to use Denmark’s “naval oaks” for Sky Suite, Pawson’s prestigious minimalist project in Lord Nelson’s old capital. And in doing so, Denmark’s “naval oaks” came to the United Kingdom after all. Albeit in a different, more peaceful form than the Danish Admiralty had intended two hundred years before. The quality of the old Danish oaks has set the standard for Dinesen Oak, and although only a few floors are currently made of the “naval oaks”, the old giants have influenced our work nonetheless. The oak we use for our floors is European, and almost all the trees were planted for the same original purpose as Denmark’s “naval oaks”. This means that a Dinesen Oak floor is made from trees planted five or six generations ago. They have survived everything they have been exposed to during the course of 150 to 200 years. This achievement deserves our respect. Accordingly, each individual oak tree is made into planks of several grades and many different dimensions. In doing this, we utilise as much of the tree as possible and demonstrate our respect for the old giants and their history.
Solid foundation
By combining the quality of the old oaks with Dinesen’s selection and processing expertise and experience, you get an oak floor of exceptional beauty. And more.
A floor of Dinesen Oak is permeated with history on the day it is laid. And due to the thickness and durability of the planks, they will remain in place for many centuries. Thereby laying a solid foundation for your own legacy.
