Only one in ten thousand spruce trees is of sufficient quality for violin-making. For the wood to develop the right resonant properties, it must be able to grow in a harsh environment, yet undisturbed.
It takes 250 years of undisturbed growth.
Any disturbance would leave its mark on the wood. A falling rock could damage the bark. A period of strong winds would result in irregular annual rings. Cows could trample the roots and disrupt growth. To produce such exceptional wood, therefore, not just one but many generations of foresters must watch over the forest.
The red spruce, which is suitable for musical instruments, grows in regions at altitudes of over 1,000 metres, where the climate is subject to minimal fluctuations over the years and the summer lasts only three or four months. These harsh growing conditions produce a very light wood with fine, regular rings that conducts sound exceptionally well.

Making music with trees – it really is possible!
Who can coax the loveliest melody from the wood?
(!) Use only the special stick to strike the wood.
The tubes are made from the wood of an African tree, the iroko.

Only one spruce in ten thousand is close enough to perfection to be made into a violin. For the wood to possess the necessary resonant qualities, the tree must have grown in rugged but undisturbed conditions.
It must not be subjected to any disturbance during its 250-year growth period.
Any event would affect the wood. A rockfall would damage its bark. Prolonged strong winds would result in irregular growth rings. Being trampled by livestock would damage its roots and disrupt its growth. So, to obtain this exceptional wood, it takes not just one, but many generations of forest wardens to watch over the forest.
Red spruce, the species used for musical instruments, grows above an altitude of 1,000 metres in regions where the climate varies little from year to year, and where fine weather lasts for just three or four months. The result of these harsh growing conditions is a very lightweight wood with fine, regular growth rings, which carry sound well.

You can make music with trees!
Which one will make the sweetest sounds?
(!) Use only a special stick to tap the wood.
These tubes are made from wood from the African iroko tree.