A Tribute to a Great Cypress Tree

Here at the Team Wicanders headquarters, we are in awe of great trees.  Recently, our attention was drawn to an ancient bald cypress tree, called Big Mama, which recently didn’t make it through 2008, as its health had been declining due to boring insects. When other cypresses were showing new leaves in the Spring, Big Mama was barren. Efforts to save the tree were unsuccessful.

Big Mama is located in a remote swamp about 80 miles southeast of Richmond, Virginia.  Mr. Byron Carmean, the retired horticulture teacher who discovered Big Mama in 2005, says the tree is 1,500 to 2,000 years old.  At 123 feet high and 35 feet around, the tree was declared the state’s largest in October 2005. Surviving centuries of hurricanes, floods, and droughts…we’re reminded of two of our favorite trees, The Angel Oak and The Whistler Tree.

The Whistler Tree is the world’s oldest and largest cork oak, and magically captures our due respect. It is located in the town of Aguas de Moura in the Alentejo region of Portugal. Planted in 1783, and 225 years young, it was first harvested of its precious bark in 1820 and is the most productive cork oak tree on record.  Still thriving in the Montado Forest—the eco-system which is home to abundant flora, fauna, and wildlife like the Iberian lynx—the Whistler Tree is a wonderful example of the creation of shared value. When nature and man work together to sustain a natural environment and create eco-friendly, renewable products at the same time, it’s a beautiful thing to witness. Those of you who visit our blog know about our beautiful cork oak flooring, which is born of nature, and fashioned in a responsible and sustainable manner for living.

The Angel Oak is another great and ancient tree in South Carolina. Several of our team members are still talking about their emotional visit with this unbelievable tree. We have pictures on our post here.

Fortunately, the cypress is a remarkably durable wood, meaning that Big Mama will likely stand for decades more to impress and inspire children and adults alike. It’s so rare to be in the presence of one of these great trees. We hope you have an opportunity to see one.

Until next time…

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Frank Lloyd Wright Chose Cork Floors too!

“Organic architecture seeks superior sense of use and a finer sense of comfort, expressed in organic simplicity.”

–Frank Lloyd Wright

We are all familiar with Frank Lloyd Wrights‘ most famous architectural designs like Fallingwater and the Guggenheim. He designed hundreds of famous structures and enabled the evolution of modern architecture.

What does Frank Lloyd Wright’s legacy have to do with Wicanders Cork Oak Flooring you ask? Well, one of the most famous concepts he developed was Organic Architecture.  This idea of promoting harmony between people and nature sounds pretty familiar doesn’t it?

Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Organic Architecture reminds us (surprisingly enough!) of Wicanders Cork Oak Flooring. Combining nature with sustainable design is what Wicanders does so effortlessly. Not only does the design of Wicanders flooring feel pure and natural, but it is beneficial to two environments; the natural environment in which the Cork is harvested, and the environment in which Wicanders’ flooring is installed. In Portugal, the generations of families who have nurtured the cork oak trees in the Montado forests rely on them for their livelihood, and never harm the trees during the harvest process. And by choosing Cork Oak floors, we are providing a safe, healthy, comfortable, and sustainable environment for those we love. Frank Lloyd Wright would be proud.

Oh, and the best part…Frank Lloyd Wright was a fan of cork- not only did he use cork in his home and studio, but he also used Cork Floors in his most famous design, Fallingwater.

We believe Nature’s architect would be proud…both of Frank Lloyd Wrights’ vision, and other architects who have been pioneers in Organic Architecture. It’s just what nature intended!

Born of nature, and fashioned for living. What a unique idea…

Team Wicanders

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Wicanders Cork Oak Floors are Perfect for Kids Rooms & Play Areas!

When different and unique things complement each other, we all feel balanced and harmonious.

That’s what Wicanders Cork Oak Flooring is all about. If you are a frequent visitor here, you know we can’t blog enough about our floors…because we love the pairing of sustainable design and art, and the benefits of green building working hand-in-hand with modern design.

One of our favorite relationships is between Wicanders Cork Oak Floors and Children.  As we all know, kids love to run, jump, and play hard on floors. Our floors are soft and absorb shock, so the little ones are less likely to get hurt doing what they naturally love to do.  Kids also are more likely than adults to pick up germs and viruses. Our cork oak floors are naturally anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, and hypoallergenic. Kids can be loud. Our floors dramatically reduce impact sound and reflected noise.  In fact, our cork oak floors are often used to diminish the echo effect in large corridors and hallways, as well as specialty rooms such as libraries (like the Library of Congress), classrooms, theaters and children’s museums.

Amazement Square Children's Museum & Wicanders Cork Oak Floors

Want to check out some real life examples of harmony in action?  Amazement Square, a hands-on children’s museum and interactive learning playground in Lynchburg, VA, chose our Series 1000 Originals Collection in Natural to cover approximately 5,000 square feet of the museum’s high traffic areas.  The Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital, in Brighton, UK, chose our Series 4000 for their central atrium area where lots of kids play, so they don’t disturb the other little kids trying to get well. This busy pediatrics hospital won an International Health Care Award, in recognition of its innovative design and promotion of health and well being.

Award-Winning Children's Hospital Chose Wicanders Cork Oak Floors

So when you think about it, installing Wicanders Cork Oak Flooring in places where little kids play (and big kids, too!) is a pretty good idea.

Here’s to keeping our little ones safe, healthy, and happy! Cheers!

Team Wicanders

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Tate Access Floors and Wicanders Cork Oak Floors Join Forces!

Tate Access Floors is the largest access flooring company in North America, so needless to say…we’re excited about our recent affiliation!! We have joined forces with another world leader in sustainable building solutions. Tate will supply Wicanders’ new line of access floors; Wicanders UP. Check out our News Release to learn more.

Tate Access Floors, Inc. has over 45 years of experience. The company is a recognized worldwide leader in the research, design, manufacture, distribution, sales, and installation of raised access floors. We can’t wait to see what happens when a world-renowned distributor like Tate, and Wicanders combine forces…we’re partial of course!

Wicanders UP Access Flooring

Wicanders UP is 3.2 mm thick and has HPS, our High Performance Surface, with a 15 year commercial warranty. Wicanders UP was created specifically for high traffic areas. It is protected from scratches, scuff marks, dents, abrasions, stains and UV damage, and the low gloss level of the HPS prevents slipping! Like our other flooring, Wicanders UP still provides thermal insulation, acoustic dampening, health benefits, resiliency, and is free from allergens and hidden germs, and well as being naturally anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, and hypoallergenic. Long story short, it is a GREAT option for your commercial places and spaces with high and unforgiving foot traffic!

We hope you join Tate Access Floors and Wicanders Cork Oak Flooring in the effort to promote green design and green building. With your help, we can create more sustainable and eco-friendly places for all of us.

Until next time,

Team Wicanders

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Wicanders’ Cork Oak is Green, Beautiful and Tough!

While browsing the internet the other day, we stumbled upon a little treasure! We saw a picture of the beautiful piece of artwork below, made out of cork, and just had to do a little investigating to find out more…

Allison's Cork Scrolling Project

Wood worker, artist, and fellow blogger, Allison, from www.wood-alley.com, was given a piece of leftover cork flooring from her friend, a floor installer. She had never used cork flooring in a scrolling project before, so she tried it out and as you can see, the result is gorgeous! While reading her blog and checking out her pictures, we realized that this might just be our very own Wicanders Cork Oak Flooring!

The lovely Allison was gracious enough to let us know that the piece of flooring is Wicanders! It is a piece of the Series 1000 CORKLOC with High Performance Surface finish, or HPS. Because of the HPS hard wearing surface and HDF-High Density Fibreboard with CORKLOC, this piece of flooring stayed strong. This reminds us of how our tough floors are great for kids rooms and kitchens, where they get real wear and tear. And don’t forget about that 25 year residential warranty for Series 1000!

Allison said “I plan on using more of this material as I find it fascinating…” Well Allison, we find it fascinating too! But even more, we find it inspiring that you can make something so beautiful out of cork oak from the Montado cork oak forests. And to top it all off, it is an environmentally friendly product, perfect for green building and green design!

In Allison’s blog, she gives hints and instructions on how to do it yourself! You can see other artwork on her blog, or on lumberjocks.com (an online community of supportive wood working artists). We are so proud that our flooring held up to Allison’s drill press and saws!

Thank you for your art Allison, and let us know when we can see more of your Cork Creations!

Do you have a Cork Creation? Please share with us!

Until Next time,

Team Wicanders

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Saving Cork Oak Trees, Saving our Planet!

As school children, one of the biggest lessons we all learned was to “save the trees!” Well, in San Jose this month, two tree hugging heroes have emerged! Camilla and Dan Cochran faced the city of San Jose in a fearless battle to save our favorite kind of tree…the Cork Oak! They are lucky enough to have one of these beautiful and historic trees in front of their home. It is flanked on each side by neighboring Cork Oak Trees.

Dan and Camilla Cochran's Home and Beautiful Cork Oak Tree

The tree, which was estimated to be 130-145 years old, was tagged and ready to be chopped down by the city, who said it caused sidewalk damage, and hung too far over the street. But after a good fight, the Cochran’s were given permission to keep their healthy tree.

Team Wicanders is so impressed by the Cochran’s determination to keep their tree. We also want to save the cork oak trees in the Montado Forests in Portugal, for a few reasons. Not only are they good for the environment, but they also supply the materials for our eco-friendly flooring.

Our planet has provided us with the gifts we need to keep it healthy, while using its resources. Cork Oak harvesting increases Carbon Dioxide retention and keeps these ancient trees alive- some, like The Whistler Tree, live up to 250 years! Harvesting also provides jobs and helps the people who have cared for these great trees, for generations and generations. You can learn more about the cork oak trees by checking out Rob Schneider’s video on our post: Save Miguel.

Wicanders Cork Oak floors offer a unique opportunity for a healthy home, and a healthy planet. Do you have any great stories about saving trees? We would love to hear them!

The Cochrans' Cork Oak Tree; Photo dated before 1896.

Until next time,

Team Wicanders

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Cork Plank in the News!

We just wanted to thank the folks at CalFinder.com, the Source for Certified Remodeling Contractors, for prominently featuring our latest flooring innovation—Cork Plank—on their blog.

To read the entire post, please click here. And be sure to also check out CalFinder.com for free estimates from flooring contractors (and all types of pre-screened remodeling contractors as well) in your area.