An ancient pine is being turned into guitars
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (339930)
Rockingham, Australia
July 21, 2024 5:11am CST
Although decades old, a bunya pine (Araucaria bidwillii) known as the ‘Jesmond roundabout tree’ was cut down in 2023 to make way for an $481 million inner city bypass in suburban Newcastle, New South Wales. Growth rings put the tree at over 90 years old.
When guitar-maker Matthew Semmens heard that the pine would be made into woodchips, he freaked out and resolved to use the timber to make guitars, and to teach others the skill. Matthew estimates that around 500 guitars can be made from the timber.
The photo is mine of Emily Barker from Bridgetown, Western Australia, who wrote the music for the TV series Wallander, which ran from 2008 to 2016.
17 people like this
17 responses
@annierose (21583)
• Philippines
21 Jul
Transforming the timber into guitars not only preserves the tree’s legacy but also creates something beautiful and functional. It’s great to see how old materials can have new life and inspire future generations.
3 people like this
@annierose (21583)
• Philippines
22 Jul
@JudyEv It’s amazing how repurposing timber into guitars not only honors the tree's history but also brings joy and music to the world. A wonderful way to blend preservation with creativity!
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
21 Jul
I bet @TheHorse will be proud to hear that. So much better than turning it into mulch.
2 people like this
@popciclecold (38710)
• United States
21 Jul
No wonder he freaked, that's a lot of guitars from one tree. I am impressed.
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (180663)
• United States
21 Jul
I hope the horse sees this one. I hate when trees are taken down to add more concrete. We need every tree we can get.
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (180663)
• United States
21 Jul
@JudyEv It must have been in the way.
2 people like this
@changjiangzhibin89 (16762)
• China
21 Jul
It was a shame to cut down the old tree ! The guitar-maker Matthew Semmens had a good eye for it and kept the tree from being made into woodchips.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (339930)
• Rockingham, Australia
23 Jul
It will keep him busy for a few years I would think even if he is teaching others as well.
@LindaOHio (178568)
• United States
22 Jul
I'm glad the tree will be put to good use.. Is that supposed to be $481 million? Have a good week.
1 person likes this
@Beestring (14553)
• Hong Kong
21 Jul
That's a good idea to use the timber to make guitars.
2 people like this
@koopharper (7601)
• Canada
21 Jul
Glad the wood is being put to good use at the least. I understand that sometimes a tree needs to be cut down but I don't like to find out the materials were completely wasted. There was a lot of outcry in the US a few years back about a very large ancient tree getting cut down for lumber. I could see from the pictures that the bottom of the tree was all rotted out and would likely come down in a windstorm in the not-too-distant future anyway. That one didn't upset me for that reason.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (79833)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
22 Jul
That is a wonderful idea, Good for him,
1 person likes this
