Uk workshop mini quiz

[Digit]

And there was me thinking I understood my language!
Years ago there was a TV programme about the English language and how we ended up with PLOUGH pronounced PLOW for example.
Not every body's cuppa I know but I found it fascinating.

Roy.

 

[MIGNAL]

Only one guess at the country of origin. Come on chaps!

 

[Digit]

Well I'll have to show my ignorance 'cos I thought USA.

Roy.

 

[MIGNAL]

Have another guess Roy. There really is no need to think about this too deeply.

 

[Digit]

The local timber yard? ](*,)

Roy.

 

[MIGNAL]

OK to get things moving I'm going to be extremely generous and accept that answer. I guess the local timber yard is the correct country! well, sort of.
My sample grew in England. Altough Black Walnut is obviously associated with the US, it was/is grown in the UK - more as an ornamental specimen. I am reliably informed that if the sapling survives the frost Black Walnut grows very well in the UK.

So it grew in England. London to be more precise.

Where in London?

 

[Digit]

No! I'm not going to say it!
I'm not! I'm not!

Roy.

 

[motownmartin]

I'll say it, Kew Gardens

 

[motownmartin]

Or if you are treasuring such a small piece it must have Royal sap

 

[MIGNAL]

Well that's gone and ruined my next question! That's not only answered the last question but also the question I was about to ask!

OK then. Which Royal planted the tree?

 

[Digit]

Well Walnut was wiped out in England, I'm told, during the Little ice age, so William 4 or Victoria?

Roy.

 

[Ironballs]

George V? Not good on my royalty

I was accosted by an excitable old gent outside the Harrogate show last year, he was holding a small piece of dark wood asked me what it was, as a clue he said it had been grown in England. Had a couple of guesses, didn't get it, so he told me it was ebony. Apparently had been growing in the Lakes

 

[motownmartin]

George III

 

[MIGNAL]

The tree was cut down a few weeks ago. The sample that I received was still incredibly wet. Unfortunately even Kew has to cut down the odd tree for a variety of reasons. This particular Black Walnut was indeed planted by Queen Victoria sometime in the 19 th century. I should get an exact date within the next few weeks.
If I'm still solvent in 2009 I just may get some bigger chunks. It was a decent sized tree by all accounts.