New Species of Scandinavian Pine Discovered

Botanists have recently discovered a new species of pine tree found to be growing near the Arctic Circle. Similar to other types of Northern Scandinavian pine, it also has a very tight grain and high density but has a very unusual characteristic in that the trees grow horizontally.

"I first discovered the Logcabinus Horizontalus whilst conducting a field study of Scandinavian pine", said expert tree hugger Edward Knot. "It's quite amazing how they grow long ways - I was gobsmacked when I first came across them but the really amazing part is that they grow in quite boggy terrain which on closer inspection turned out to be a kind of wood preservative".

Logging and several tests have since been carried out on the new species, resulting in a timber which due to its origins makes excellent straight log lengths and which is already preserved.

"The log cabin industry is about to be revolutionised", said spokeswoman Twiggy Branch. "Not only can we grow the horizontal trees to whichever log thickness is required (45 and 55 mm being the most popular) but we are experimenting with the ground in which they grow. At the moment we are producing timbers that are already preserved in various shades of brown, but by adding a dye to the soil we're hoping to produce an opaque finish in shades of blue and green, maybe even a bright red...it really is exciting stuff!".

Logging takes place in well managed forests that support a programme of sustainable replanting but there is also a DIY version available for anyone who maybe a keen Aborist. Write in to us here at Keops and we will provide you with some Logcabinus Horizontalus seeds which you simply plant in a tin of wood preservative (colour of your choice).

The best in Christmas glass ornaments!!!

Yes folks, we've scoured the internet to bring you the finest selection of Christmas tree ornaments. All, of course, feature log cabins (well, what else did you expect?) and not so stangely all are available from the good ole US of A!
Starting from just $9.99 you can "spruce up your tree" and bring homey feelings to your home. We especially like the cabin one that features "eyecatching woodland colours, hand blown with glitter detailing".

Merry christmas to you all!

Enjoy!

The Hot Dog Log Cabin!

Yes, really!...
Unfortunately we can't recommend it as there are no interlocking corner joints but we love the cheese on toast roof and bacon shingles!

Russian gangster & the world's tallest log cabin

Visit Arkhangelsk in north-west Russia and you can't fail to miss probably the world's tallest log cabin. Built by one time gangster Nikolai Sutyagin and looking like a cross between a pile of timber awaiting bonfire night and a horror fairy tale castle, the wooden house reaches 144ft and has 13 floors.

Sutyagin began his project in 1992, vowing to build a two stoey house grander than his neighbours to reflect his status as the city's richest man. After a trip to see wooden houses in Norway and Japan, he decided he wasn't utilising his roof space enough and continued building.

"First I added three floors but then the house looked ungainly, like a mushroom", he said. "So I added another and still it didn't look right so I kept going. What you see is a happy accident".

Unfortunately, in 1998 Sutyagin was convicted on racketeeing charges and given four years in prison, his third jail term. While in prison, rivals stole his money and possesions and dumped his five cars in the river Dvina. From being a millionaire he is now penniless.

Sutyagin, aged 60, now lives in four draughty rooms at the bottom of his log house pile with his wife Lena, 32.

Neighbours think it's an eyesore and the city authorities have stated the bylaw that no wooden structures should be higher than two floors and warn that the whole thing could go up in flames.

Sutyagin plans to fight action to pull it down and claims that everything above the second floor is purely decorative.

"This would have been a great room for making love", he said, balancing on a plank he had just thrown over a gaping chasm in the floor,"Look at the view!"

Interview by Adrian Blomfield