Preserving wood through shou sugi ban

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, 12 June 2023
Preserving wood through shou sugi ban
Clive Lunny © Steve Webster

Steve Webster, Ranger (West)

Originating in 18th century Japan, shou sugi ban is a method of preserving wood by charring it with fire. In the UK we can dig up ancient charcoal from Neolithic times, circa 3,000 AD, showing that charring timber is very effective at preventing rot. Ranger Steve Webster has been utilising this method for awhile now on gate posts and sign boards. Timber treatments are usually nasty chemicals which have the potential to leach out into the surrounding soil, and are particularly damaging to wood boring insect larvae such as Stag Beetles. Of course, charring the timber is also meant to discourage the attack from insect larvae and fungi, but it’s non-toxic and eventually when the post does rot, it can be safely inhabited.

The photograph shows Ranger Clive Lunny charring the oak uprights of new interpretative panels recently erected at West Dean Woods. The charring only needs to be a few millimetres in depth to provide protection, and is easily achieved with a small blow torch as shown. It also only needs to be where there is moisture and air, the elements that cause rot, therefore the charring only needs to be around 30cm below ground level and a few centimetres above it.

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