Aware of environmental problems, I was looking for ways to produce furniture which used less energy. In the late 1970s, the idea came to me that training and grafting trees to shape as they grew might work. I proved that it could be done, and of course I've since seen and admired the clever and imaginative work of the many other tree trainers around the world. My aim though is to encourage as many people as possible to try it for themselves, so I'm sticking with this simple stool. I call it 'grownup' furniture as it's the result of mature thinking.

why do it?

Growing furniture isn't going to save the planet, but it can show that it's possible to create genuinely useful things without adding to the pollution that industry inevitably seems to produce. Trees are self-generating, and the only energy needed is that which the sun provides worldwide. It's free and it's non-polluting. Training and grafting trees are established traditional crafts, and wood is durable but it's also biodegradable. So when a wooden object is no longer wanted, it doesn't have to end up in a hole in the ground. So let's do whatever we can to encourage the revival of such simple and ecologically sound methods, and to promote and encourage new thought along these lines.

spreading the idea

I have shown my stools and promoted the idea at many locations in Britain over the last few years. Besides the growing sites, we've taken part in several woodland and craft shows in England, and at the 'Big Tent' at Falkland Palace in Scotland. We also had an enjoyable trip to exhibit at Nagoya in Japan for Expo 2005 ( thank you John Gathright ! )

at a primary school

A Primary School in Oxfordshire has four stools growing in large tubs, where the resident robin keeps an eye on what's happening. We hope that by the time the reception class of 2005 go on to secondary school, they will have some mature stool frames to take with them - we'll see. ( If there are any other school teachers who would like to try this experiment, please ask at info@grown-furniture.co.uk

at Westonbirt arboretum

In the Arboretum at Westonbirt in Gloucestershire, three stools were planted in 2005 in the Education Department. (They are not difficult to find if you go looking for them.) Fair progress has been made during their second year, although a natural graft having occurred rather sooner than intended on one frame, some corrective pruning has had to be made in an attempt to equalise relative growth. The stool is shown without its protective netting.

at Harcourt Arboretum

In the University of Oxford Harcourt Arboretum, at Nuneham Courtney, which is open to the public, three Ash stool frames were planted in 2006. As must be the case in many woodland situations, these are enclosed by wire cages to protect the young trees.

in historic woodland

In an area of historic woodland, these six Sycamore stool frames are heavily protected from the local deer and hungry squirrels. We intend to plant a further crop each year, so that visitors can begin to see how the frames develop, and maybe try it for themselves. Since each stool is unique, they make excellent 'heritage' projects for members of a family or close friends.

links

If you are interested in grown furniture, have a look at:
www.arborsmith.com
www.plantware.org
www.pooktre.com