Notre Dame.

Up to a thousand Sessile oaks (Quercus petraea) were felled to reconstruct the ancient 800-year-old timber roof and fallen spire of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris after it was destroyed by fire in April 2019.

A nationwide tree hunt began soon after French president, Emmanuel Macron, decided that the iconic Cathedral would be rebuilt exactly as it was before.

The oaks were between 150 and 230 years old, with trunks at least one metre in diameter and lengths over 18 metres.

Eight of the trees – destined for the most monumental part of the spire – were found in the Forest of Bercé that once belonged to the kings of France.

The trees were harvested over the late winter of 2021 when they were dormant and without leaves, otherwise harmful tree sap and moisture could enter the wood fibres. The logs were then left out to air dry for up to 18 months.

But harvesting the oaks was not without controversy.

Craftsmen then used medieval carpentry techniques and traditional hand tools to shape the replacement roof timbers.

Perhaps, sustainable forestry’s “finest hour”.