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About
The Antler Tree
"The Antler Tree was born from a love of animals, nature and the outdoors. We are all linked to mother nature and seeing cast antlers in the forest seemed like such a waste of a beautiful, natural resource. So I set to work designing long lasting handmade products that would celebrate the beauty of these amazing creatures and keep us connected to the earth. Just like our distant ancestors, there is something special about crafting and using tools from antler. It is the ultimate upcycling, and connects us to simpler more wholesome time."
Many people are unaware that deer species cast (shed) their antlers every year and grow new antler before the rut (the mating season, also known as the "Roar" when the males literally roar to warn other stags away from their territory). This incredible feat almost defies belief as large red stags for example can grow up to 6 cm's of antler per day if they have access to good feed and nutrients. The early growth antler is softer and covered in velvet, but by 90 days the antlers will be fully hardened and stags would have rubbed off all the velvet, scraping their antlers against trees, which imparts the dark colours that remain on the antler.
So why do male deer need antlers? What are they for? Well, there are actually many reasons;
(1) To establish and maintain social order, by being a visible expression of dominance
(2) To attract hinds in oestrus (when they are ready to mate) - female deer seek stags with the largest antlers
(3) So the stag can defend himself or his harem (yes that's really what they are called!) of hinds from attack - from predators or other stags
(4) To mark his territory and prepare wallows
Suzy Toresen, Owner
Many people are unaware that deer species cast (shed) their antlers every year and grow new antler before the rut (the mating season, also known as the "Roar" when the males literally roar to warn other stags away from their territory). This incredible feat almost defies belief as large red stags for example can grow up to 6 cm's of antler per day if they have access to good feed and nutrients. The early growth antler is softer and covered in velvet, but by 90 days the antlers will be fully hardened and stags would have rubbed off all the velvet, scraping their antlers against trees, which imparts the dark colours that remain on the antler.
So why do male deer need antlers? What are they for? Well, there are actually many reasons;
(1) To establish and maintain social order, by being a visible expression of dominance
(2) To attract hinds in oestrus (when they are ready to mate) - female deer seek stags with the largest antlers
(3) So the stag can defend himself or his harem (yes that's really what they are called!) of hinds from attack - from predators or other stags
(4) To mark his territory and prepare wallows
