At Van Rossum, they owe their extensive knowledge of oak to a special close relationship with their French supplier. The people who work there go into the forest every day. They know every tree and as a result, they know exactly what is being sold at the auctions held by the French National Forestry Services. Some 5 -10 years after planting young saplings, the National Forestry Service selects the stronger trees that will be allowed to mature. An interim selection is made 20 years later, and the final selection follows after another 30 years. The trees that eventually remain are free to grow to an age of about 100 years before literally facing the axe. It is a time consuming process, whereby man creates the optimum growing conditions for a tree, but nature sets the pace.