The O.A.K. Project
Ancient Oak Tree Reborn
Over 350 years ago, King Louis XIV - known as the Sun King - ordered a complete reorganization of French forestry, establishing what remains one of the earliest and most remarkable examples of sustainable forest management.
While most of the original trees have disappeared over time, a few still stand today, protected by law. Now approaching 400 years of age, these venerable oaks are gradually reaching the end of their natural lives. Over the past two decades, the French National Forestry Office has carefully monitored, harvested, and transformed them, one by one.
Their timber is sold through closed auctions reserved for professionals. Jean-Luc Sylvain, owner of one of France’s leading cooperages, has acquired the majority of these trees to craft his exquisite single-tree wine barrels. However, only 20 - 30% of each tree can be used for this purpose - leaving a vast amount of exceptional wood without a clear destination which until now has resulted in firewood.
OCTARR has now entered into an exclusive partnership with Tonnellerie Sylvain to rescue this precious material and give it a new life through art, design, furniture, paper, and other creative transformations.
Transformation
Our first tree was felled by the French government in August 2024, and its transformation began in January 2025 at the Tonnellerie Sylvain. The process continues through the careful drying of the timber at La Briche, and through our exclusive partnership with Ruscombe Paper Mill, where part of the wood is being transformed into handmade, pre-industrial, chemical-free paper — crafted from a unique blend of our tree’s fibres and ancient textiles.
As the wood continues to dry, more artists and artisans will join the process, each contributing to the tree’s rebirth through new works of art and craftsmanship.
The Collection
The tree will be tokenised and 1,000 tokens at $50 each will be made available for purchase.
Tree Guardians will benefit from priority access and revenue share from the sale of all downstream collectables including the paper. This revenue will establish an ongoing program of tree replanting.
Rewards of Patience
True impact is rarely instantaneous. This project represents OCTARR’s commitment to "slow-growth" value—the belief that by holding and nurturing world-class instruments like the cello over time, we unlock deeper social and financial dividends. It is a transition from the volatility of speculation to the stability of stewardship.
By participating in this fractional model, stakeholders are not just waiting for market appreciation; they are investing in the "performance life" of the asset. As the instrument matures through use by world-class artists, its cultural and historical significance compounds. This is the essence of patient capital: a strategic delay in gratification that allows for cultural preservation, artistic mastery, and shared economic resilience to flourish in unison.
O.A.K.'s Passport
Become a Patron
Join our club = Become an Octarrian. Acquire a token = Become a Patron.