SINGING WOOD

In order to secure the mine and to avoid collapses, the miners placed tree trunks in the galleries. For two reasons, the miners preferred to use fir. Firstly, it was cheaper than oak, for example, but above all, it was less resistant. At first glance, this last aspect does not seem to be compatible with the concern for safety. In reality, the opposite is true because, before cracking, the elastic wood of the fir bent under the pressure of a collapsing roof starts to “sing”, as the miners say. This is the signal for the men to leave the site urgently!