Outside the sawmill, all eyes were on the large oak tree that was about to be processed.
This tree, which weighed seven tons and was just over 12 meters long, had to be lifted with a machine before being sawed on each side.
Once renovated, this oak will be a beam to be used in the rebuilding of the Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral, which was severely damaged by fire three years ago.
” The pressure is really strong. We have no room for error. “
Specializing in the treatment of large trees, the company Wood sur mesure, located in the north of France, was selected for the lifetime contract. He will provide beams that will be used to recreate the iconic spire of the cathedral, added to the monument at 19at century before being swept away by fire in 2019.
The owner of the sawmill, Philippe Seynave, acknowledges that the pressure is great because of the importance of the site to be provided.
It can happen to everyone to lose a tree, but there, we have no righthe explains before adding that it is always necessary behind the blade, always look as closely as possible. To ensure the smooth running of operations, the contractor invested several thousand euros in the equipment, even before officially getting the contract.
So far, 48 beams have been sawed, and the company-run cabinetmaker carpenter is due to finish about 30 more by the end of April.
Work on the frame and spire must begin in 2023 before the building opens to the public, which is still scheduled for 2024.
Beams that boast a region
In recent years, more than 1,000 oak trees have been cut down in various regions of France, in public and private forests, with the aim of contributing to the effort to rebuild Paris cathedral.
On our visit to the tailor-made Wood sawmill, the oak in the center of the employees ’attention was of particular importance: it was cut in the communal forest of Hirson, a town located just a few kilometers away.
The mayor of the municipality who donated this chief, Jean-Jacques Thomas, wanted to attend the operation.
The chosen one recalls that this approximately 180-year-old oak survived two world wars, conflicts that affected his region.
The fact that one day this tree will leave a mark in the heart of Paris is the pride of the countrymen.
” There was a tremendous movement of pride and it was an opportunity to say: “You see how beautiful our forest is.” […] It is a bit of a part of themselves to find themselves in the capital. “
The pride is even greater for Philippe Seynave, who has long been committed to this project and has worked as a cabinetmaker for almost 30 years.
It’s useful, it’s the goblethe said, visibly moving.
We will have our name there, our grandchildren will think of usadded the businessman, explaining that his work will contribute to a structure that should still be in place hundreds of years from now.
When he is in Paris, Philippe Seynave, like many inhabitants of the region, will look up to admire this spire that, from its height of 96 meters, will once again stand in the panorama of the center of the capital.
Source: Radio-Canada