The timbers used by "Henry The Navigator", Magellan and Vasgo De Gamma's ships, which travelled far and wide and circled the globe, were made of Maritime pine from these forests, even Columbus's ships are reputed to have been built by these same timbers. Today there is a trans Atlantic large sailing ship built over 150 years ago which is still sea worthy and regularly sails the Seven Seas.

Edward the 2nd of England and The King of Portugal together signed the first trading charter in 1308 between the two countries and timber started to arrive in England soon after. It was used extensively for our own ship building programme. By the beginning of the 18th century the Georgians started to use it in house building as they were impressed by its ability to withstand the rigours of sea life as well as inclement weather and for its beautiful colour and texture. This was continued for the next two hundred years.

The trade in this timber to England came to a dramatic end at the beginning of the Second World War when u-boat packs started sinking the vessels carrying cargos of timber to England.

After the war it was not started up again as England had been fighting for six years against fascism and the Portuguese government at the time was a Fascist dictatorship.

The Maritime Pine from this region of Portugal was recognised as unique, for its ability to withstand termites and borers, so much so that the French in the 18th century planted seedlings from it, around Bordeaux and the Gironde to start their own soil stabilisation and forests.

In the 1920's The Australian government imported the seedlings in favour of their own indigenous species and now have a thriving timber industry based on this Maritime species.

However it's the trees grown in this specific province of Portugal which have these unique properties of being almost like a hardwood with such a beautiful patina and feel.