oldest workable wood

The coniferous tree agates oustalis, bast known by its maori name kauri is one of new zealand's  largest trees. prehistoric kauri can be found  buried in peat which has preserved both the wood and sometime the bark and speed  cones. These swamp kauri are usually 3,000 year old but some excavated trees have been radiocarbon - dated to around 50,000 year old. The wood itself is often in excellent condition and once dried  can bemused to make furniture. The grain in ancient kauri pieces is termed  whitebait as it is thought to be similar  to shimmering effects  created when  sunlight  strikes a moving shoal of three  fish shown here is a whitebait serving platter.