Everything Tree with Thijmen Apswoude

13-15 March 2026, Rychnov nad Kněžnou, Czech Republic
(from Friday 10 am to Sunday afternoon)

A special course hosted by fellow Czech ancestral skills practitioners, modelled on the classic “Using the Whole Animal” workshop – only our animal will be a freshly felled tree! Come and learn from Thijmen how to process and use everything that can be obtained from European trees. The more unusual the techniques and crafts, the better! Spend an exciting weekend with like-minded people and return home with all kinds of materials and finished projects.

We will learn how to make fire with a bow drill, ideally using materials collected on site so that everyone can leave with their own kit. We will be introduced to a variety of useful polypores that can be used in the preparation of medicinal teas and tinctures. We will learn how to use them to treat wounds, start fires and make leather for hats and bags. We will discuss the sources of natural tree dyes, from lichens to oak galls, and learn how to obtain bold colours such as pink or blue. We will explore the uses of different types of bark, bast and roots from tanning to basketry and rope making. We will learn what to look out for when collecting and processing, how exactly to proceed – and why. We will also look at special woodworking techniques such as hollowing by burning (e.g. for making kuksas) and steam bending (for making backpacks or snowshoes), as well as the making and use of glue and tar. An integral part of the course will be the opportunity to view all sorts of things Thijmen has made from trees and to discuss any related topics of interest. If you do anything tree-related yourselves, don’t hesitate to bring your projects along, to solve any problems you might have or to inspire others!

The location is a meadow by the river. Parking is possible nearby and we can pick up participants arriving by public transport. Accommodation will be in a large cabin with a stove, mattresses and an outhouse toilet, with no electricity. The water in the river is quite clean and we will supply drinking water. Please bring your own sleeping bag, mess tin, cutlery, torch and knife. Lunch and dinner will be cooked on site for everyone, using as many tree-related foods as possible, both traditional and non-traditional. Thijmen will teach in English and translation to/from Czech will be provided if needed. We welcome beginners and experienced crafters alike, the course is structured in a way that everyone will benefit.

The cost will depend on the number of participants (we are expecting 8–15 people) – the more people, the cheaper. Thijmen asks for 350 EUR per person (to be paid in advance), the cost on the Czech side will be about 500–1000 CZK per person (to be paid on the spot). To secure your place please pay a 100 EUR deposit now. We will determine the final cost and let you know when the sign up period is closed. Sign up is possible until end of 2025.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us. Last year’s deer workshop was a great success and we look forward to seeing some of the old faces and some new participants and having a great time together again!

Thijmen, Tonda and Tereza