Bog Oak Pipes – Rare Pieces Made from Ancient Wood

So-called Morta pipes are popular pipes made from oak wood, which comes from bog oaks. But what exactly is a bog oak, and what makes it so special? One thing is certain: when you buy a bog oak pipe, you're choosing a rare and very special piece, with origins that date back centuries, or even millennia.

The Formation of Bog Oak

Bog oaks are not a distinct species on their own. Rather, they are individual oak trunks that have been submerged under the surface in bogs and marshlands for hundreds of years. Over time, this led to chemical reactions, particularly between the tannins in the wood and the iron salts in the bog.

Coloring

The resulting iron tannins in the wood gradually cause a darkening of the oak. Depending on the location and age of the find, bog oak can appear light gray, dark yellow to brown, or even blue to deep black. Contrary to many claims, the color of the wood does not affect its quality, so when purchasing a Morta pipe, you can choose the color according to your preference.

Dimensions

Since these are individual trunks, the exact dimensions of the bog oak pieces vary, and full trees are rarely found. Common finds are bog oak trunks with a length of 5 to 20 meters and about 1.3 meters in diameter.

Age

The exclusive value of bog oak pipes (and other products) is primarily derived from the age of the material. The trunks that are found are usually between 600 and 800 years old, though in rare cases, they may be several thousand years old.

Processing Bog Oak Wood into Pipes

The processing of bog oak trunks is a lengthy and demanding process. First, the very moist wood must be gently dried without causing cracks or splits. Depending on the thickness of the wood, this drying process can take up to five years.

Whether the dried wood is actually suitable for processing depends on various factors, such as the impact of parasites and damage that occurred over time.

For pipe production, only a flawless quality is acceptable, which often applies only to a small part of the entire trunk.

Carving and drilling also require extreme care and patience, as the wood can have varying hardness in small areas, making the drilling of the smoke channel particularly challenging and requiring significant expertise.

Properties

Besides its rarity, bog oak has properties that make it especially suitable for pipes. However, there are also some disadvantages that should be considered before purchasing:

Weight

Morta pipes are often very light, thanks to their high softwood content, offering comfortable handling.

Moisture

The large pores and low density of the wood make it highly absorbent, particularly when it comes to moisture and condensates.

Flavor

Bog oak can impart a slightly sweet flavor to the smoke.

Price

Due to the craftsmanship and the material used, Morta pipes are typically expensive – especially those made from very old wood or as custom creations.

What Makes Bog Oak Pipes Special?

Since bog oak is wood that is hundreds or even thousands of years old and often discovered by chance, each Morta pipe is truly unique and a rarity.

The age, individual coloring, lengthy manufacturing process, and the special properties of bog oak give the resulting pieces their high value. Not surprisingly, this wood is also highly valued by artists and instrument makers.

How to Break in a Bog Oak Pipe?

Just as a bog oak pipe is made with great care and patience, the breaking-in process should be approached with patience and care, even by experienced pipe smokers. Ideally, a breaking-in paste should be used to minimize the risk of damage. It's also important to note that wood with a particularly low density may have a lower heat resistance.