The Tree of Heaven Project or the Ailanthus Project is comprehensive research and development project to process and reuse the timber from a tree felled in a family garden in Kensington, West London.
The Ailanthus grew steadily in the back garden a Kensington home for more than 50 years. A young family moved in with two boys, who spent most of their childhood climbing, swinging from, sheltering under and generally admiring the tall tree and its generous canopy.
Two years ago the owners identified a fungal disease in the base of the tree and sadly the tree was marked for felling before it fell down and hurt somebody. Rather than shipping in tree surgeon for quick chopping down and throwing the timber into the woodchipper, the owners decided to do something different.
To honour the unique provenance of the tree and their collective family memory, they decided to save the trees timber and engage woodworker and an architect to make the best use of the timber. The timber will be used to make two writing desks along with numerous architectural details including stair rails and counters.