Wood was the first material known to primitive man. Wood has been used to provide man with all his basic needs such as shelter and protection from the elements, and fruit from trees. Forests cover more than one fifth of the earth's land surface. Also nearly one third of the world’s forest resources are located in Russia and the vast forests of Canada also make a major contribution.
The oldest living trees in the world are reputed to be the Bristlecone pines, the majority of which are found in California.
The Oak is the largest and longest living native tree in Ireland. It grows to a height of between sixty and one hundred and thirty feet, and is capable of living for several hundred years. Oak wood was also used widely as material for building of wooden ships.
Another tree, which is widely used in this country, is the Ash and it is estimated that twenty thousand trees are used each year in the making of hurleys.
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Video Highlights
This clip shows wood being loaded onto a ship in Indonesia for transport back to Ireland.
