RBG Kew launches exclusive homeware collection crafted from its historic trees

Today, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew unveils a stunning new collection of handcrafted homewares created using waste timber from felled trees in Kew’s world-famous arboretum. 

Created in collaboration with celebrated woodworkers Selwyn House, each unique piece carries the legacy of Kew’s historic landscape, offering a rare opportunity to own a piece of botanical history. From butter knives to bowls, each item has been expertly crafted from specimens that were once part of the 11,000 trees growing in Kew’s arboretum but have since been removed by Kew’s dedicated team of arborists due to storm damage, disease, or necessary sustainable management. This carefully considered approach ensures that no tree has been felled without cause and sustainably re-uses felled timber.

The collaboration has been developed closely with Kew’s Tree Gang to guarantee full traceability. Each item is traceable back to the original tree and even the seed from which it grew. Each piece is hallmarked with a unique mark which customers can use to trace it back to the tree it was created from. A Grown at Kew webpage will allow people to understand more about the tree, including  where exactly it grew in Kew Gardens, and why the tree was felled.

Product range

Renowned for its dedication to traditional woodworking, Selwyn House has created a range of butter knives and cake knives which are now available in store at Kew Gardens and online at shop.kew.org. In the coming months, candlesticks, bowls and chopping boards will be added to the collection. These have been created from a variety of species, including Butternut, Hackberry and Box. Due to the nature of the materials, each piece is strictly limited edition and unique. 

Gift Buyer at RBG Kew, Rachel Wicking, says: “We’re so excited to introduce this extraordinary range which is a celebration of craftsmanship and conservation. Each unique piece is not only beautifully handcrafted but also deeply meaningful, offering a rare opportunity to take home a piece of Kew’s history, crafted sustainably from trees that have stood in Kew’s landscape for decades or even centuries.”

Sean Best, Co-founder of Selwyn House adds: “We feel incredibly privileged, not only to work so closely with the team at the world-renowned Kew Gardens, but also for the opportunity to work with unusual varieties of timber, from trees of such significance and provenance. We hope to bring new life to the trees which have had to be felled, making items which can be used and enjoyed in customers' homes for many more years.” 

The Kew x Selwyn House range is available in-store at Kew Gardens and online at shop.kew.org. Find out more: Grown at Kew - Collaborations - Gifts | The Kew Shop

ENDS

Lifestyle and product images are available here: https://we.tl/t-2eeMoixGMg 

Kew’s product range can be found on Press Loft: https://pressloft.com/app/press-office/kew_gardens_shop

For more information or images, please contact the Press Office at pr@kew.org / 0208 332 5607