{"product_id":"acacia-christmas-tree-board","title":"Merrick's Christmas Chopping Board","description":"\u003cstyle\u003e\n@import url('https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css2?family=Libre+Caslon+Text:ital,wght@0,400;0,700;1,400\u0026family=Libre+Franklin:wght@400;600;700\u0026family=Homemade+Apple\u0026display=swap');\n.mtp-wrap{font-family:'Libre Franklin',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif !important;max-width:900px !important;margin:0 auto !important;padding:0 4px !important;color:#1f241f !important;background:transparent !important;font-size:16px !important;line-height:1.65 !important;-webkit-font-smoothing:antialiased !important;}\n.mtp-wrap *{box-sizing:border-box !important;}\n.mtp-ticket{position:relative !important;background:#1e3b30 !important;border-radius:10px !important;padding:34px 34px 30px 34px !important;margin:0 0 14px 0 !important;color:#efe6d2 !important;text-align:center !important;overflow:hidden !important;}\n.mtp-ticket:before,.mtp-ticket:after{content:\"\" 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class=\"mtp-wrap\"\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"mtp-ticket\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"mtp-route\"\u003ePaddock Wood, Kent → Your Christmas table\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eA Christmas tree you can \u003cem\u003echop on\u003c\/em\u003e, cut from wood the railway used to burn\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSolid Kent false acacia, cut by hand into a tree, a star or a reindeer. Chop on the back, put the front in the middle of the table. Made by Merrick Tull, 70, a retired woodwork teacher, in the brick shed at the bottom of his garden.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"mtp-strip\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e1988\u003c\/b\u003eThe first board, for Maureen\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e1 in 5\u003c\/b\u003eThrown out before it ships\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e~1,700\u003c\/b\u003eJanka hardness, beech ~1,300\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e0\u003c\/b\u003eTrees felled for a board\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"mtp-quote\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“I wasn’t saving anything. The tree was already down. I just couldn’t watch good wood go up in smoke.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eMerrick Tull · Paddock Wood, Kent\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"mtp-head\"\u003e\n\u003csmall\u003ePick your shape\u003c\/small\u003e\u003ch3\u003eThree boards, one wood\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mtp-shapes\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mtp-shape\"\u003e\n\u003csvg viewbox=\"0 0 54 64\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M27 2 L41 18 L35 18 L47 32 L40 32 L52 48 L31 48 L31 60 L23 60 L23 48 L2 48 L14 32 L7 32 L19 18 L13 18 Z\" fill=\"#1e3b30\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003crect x=\"25\" y=\"52\" width=\"4\" height=\"4\" fill=\"#fbf8f1\"\u003e\u003c\/rect\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eThe Classic\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003e20 × 30 cm\u003c\/i\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 1988 shape. Three straight tiers, a pointed top and a hand hole in the trunk. About the size of a sheet of A4: cheese and crackers for two to four.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mtp-shape\"\u003e\n\u003csvg viewbox=\"0 0 54 64\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M27 1 L29.5 7 L36 7 L31 11 L33 17 L27 13.5 L21 17 L23 11 L18 7 L24.5 7 Z\" fill=\"#a4372b\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M27 16 C33 22 38 22 38 26 C38 28 34 28 34 30 C40 34 46 36 46 40 C46 43 40 42 40 45 C46 48 52 50 50 54 L31 54 L31 61 L23 61 L23 54 L4 54 C2 50 8 48 14 45 C14 42 8 43 8 40 C8 36 14 34 20 30 C20 28 16 28 16 26 C16 22 21 22 27 16 Z\" fill=\"#1e3b30\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eThe Star\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003e20 × 30 cm\u003c\/i\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSoft, rounded tiers and a five-pointed star cut from the same piece. His granddaughter’s idea when she was four. The one most people give as a present.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mtp-shape\"\u003e\n\u003csvg viewbox=\"0 0 54 64\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"\u003e\u003crect x=\"6\" y=\"24\" width=\"42\" height=\"38\" rx=\"4\" fill=\"#1e3b30\"\u003e\u003c\/rect\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M22 25 L20 14 L14 6 M20 14 L24 6 M32 25 L34 14 L40 6 M34 14 L30 6\" stroke=\"#1e3b30\" stroke-width=\"4\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" fill=\"none\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eThe Reindeer\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003e34.7 × 21 cm\u003c\/i\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA longer board with a set of antlers to hold it by. Made in 1994 for the Boxing Day ham, and big enough for a full cheese course.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"mtp-head\"\u003e\n\u003csmall\u003eIn the parcel\u003c\/small\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhat arrives at your door\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mtp-arrive\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cem\u003ei\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cb\u003eYour board\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003eClassic, Star or Reindeer, both faces sanded flat and finished.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eii\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cb\u003eAlready oiled\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003eFood-safe mineral oil, applied in the shed. Use it the day it arrives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eiii\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cb\u003eWrapped\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn brown paper, ready to go straight under the tree.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eiv\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cb\u003eNinety days\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003eIf it isn’t right, send it back and get every penny refunded.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"mtp-head\"\u003e\n\u003csmall\u003eCheck it yourself\u003c\/small\u003e\u003ch3\u003eShop-bought board vs. Merrick’s\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mtp-vs\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003e \u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eTypical Christmas board\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eMerrick’s board\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSurface\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLacquer or sprayed “food-safe” coating\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare wood, mineral oil only\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAfter a season\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGoes cloudy, lifts in flakes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNothing to flake. Re-oil and it’s back\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDrying\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKiln-rushed in days\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTwo years in the shed before the first cut\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHardness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOften soft bamboo or beech (~1,300)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFalse acacia, ~1,700 Janka\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eChecked by\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNobody you’ll ever meet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMerrick. One in five goes on the bonfire\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWhere it’s from\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA warehouse overseas\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA garden shed in Kent\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"mtp-story\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eMade by hand in Paddock Wood\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMerrick’s father was a lengthsman on the line between Tonbridge and Ashford. Every winter the gangs cut back the false acacia, or robinia, that grows wild along the embankments, and every bit of it went on a fire by the track. In 1986 Merrick carried one trunk home on the roof of his car and left it in the shed for two years to dry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChristmas 1988 came with no money for presents, so he cut his wife Maureen a tree out of it. It has carried the mince pies every Christmas Eve since. He still cuts every board from false acacia cleared off Kent railway banks and verges. Embankment trees never grow wide, so each board is three to five strips of the same trunk, joined edge to edge with food-safe glue. That is where the bands of honey and dark brown come from.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHis granddaughter Jodie, a midwife in Maidstone, set up the shop and looks after every order.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mtp-label\"\u003e\n\u003csmall\u003eChristmas Eve · 1988\u003c\/small\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor Maureen. Something for the mince pies, since there’s nothing in the bank. Happy Christmas, love.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ccite\u003eMerrick\u003c\/cite\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"mtp-head\"\u003e\n\u003csmall\u003eThree minutes on Christmas Eve\u003c\/small\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow to dress your tree\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003col class=\"mtp-steps\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eBottom tier: the cheese\u003c\/b\u003eA wedge of Stilton, a few slices of Cheddar and Wensleydale along the widest part.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eMiddle tier: the colour\u003c\/b\u003eRed and green grapes, a few dried apricots, a handful of walnuts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eAt the top: the star\u003c\/b\u003eA sprig of rosemary or a cranberry on the point. Crackers on the side, and it’s done.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\n\u003cul class=\"mtp-tags\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhoever hosts Christmas\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCheese course \u0026amp; mince pies\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEveryday chopping\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMums and grans\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA present that isn’t another candle\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBoxing Day ham\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"mtp-promise\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mtp-promise-badge\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e90\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDays\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mtp-promise-text\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eNinety days, no questions\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003eSlice on it. Serve on it. Put it in front of the whole family on Christmas Day. If it isn’t right, the size, the grain or no reason at all, send it back within 90 days for a full refund. No restocking fee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"mtp-head\"\u003e\n\u003csmall\u003eThe details\u003c\/small\u003e\u003ch3\u003eProduct details\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mtp-specs\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eShapes \u0026amp; sizes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eClassic: 20 × 30 cm · Star: 20 × 30 cm · Reindeer: 34.7 × 21 cm. Classic and Star are around 2 cm thick.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWood\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFalse acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia), cleared off Kent railway banks and roadside verges. No tree is felled for a board.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eConstruction\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThree to five strips of the same trunk, joined edge to edge with food-safe glue, then shaped and sanded by hand. No veneer, no laminate, no plastic.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHardness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 1,700 on the Janka scale. European beech, common in UK boards, is around 1,300.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDrying\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAir-dried for two years in the shed before the first cut\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFinish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFood-safe mineral oil. No stain, no lacquer, no sealant. Arrives oiled.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTwo sides\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBoth faces sanded and oiled: chop on the back, serve on the front\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrain\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEvery board comes out different. Bands of honey, gold and dark brown, decided by the tree\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCare\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHand wash in warm soapy water, dry upright. Never in the dishwasher, never soaked. Rub in a little oil once a month.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMade by\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMerrick Tull, Paddock Wood, Kent. Cutting tree boards since 1988\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAvailability\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e143 boards left across all three shapes this Christmas. One man, one shed, no second batch.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDelivery\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFree UK delivery with tracking, dispatched within 1–2 working days from Kent\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"mtp-sign\"\u003e\n\u003csmall\u003eFrom the shed of\u003c\/small\u003e\u003cb\u003eMerrick Tull\u003c\/b\u003e\u003csmall\u003ePaddock Wood · Kent\u003c\/small\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n","brand":"Craft vendor","offers":[{"title":"Classic","offer_id":67890232852553,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Star","offer_id":67890232885321,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Reindeer","offer_id":67894383935561,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0947\/2442\/3753\/files\/hf_20261112_114026_d398216b-b6ac-4bce-9d30-d4e2a397c57c.png?v=1794484435","url":"https:\/\/countycraftco.com\/products\/acacia-christmas-tree-board","provider":"COUNTYCRAFT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}