The walnut tree (Juglans) is the only dark hardwood species that can be grown in Britain, which makes it an excellent alternative to many imported tropical timbers. It is worth around four times the value of the most expensive oak and grows in just half the time. So why is there such a dearth of walnut growers in the UK? Until the eighteenth century, walnut was the most prized of woods by the best English cabinetmakers, sought for its hardness, rich shades of brown and intricate grain patterns. But during the 1700s, a run of bitterly cold winters spread across Europe, culminating in the winter of 1709 when walnut trees across the whole of England froze to death. By 1720, walnut supplies in Europe had become so scarce that English furniture-makers turned to mahogany from the tropical colonies. They were so delighted with the alternative that it caught on as the new favourite.
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