History of Bark Siding

Bark as Siding, a North Carolina Innovation, an American Legacy

Siding made of bark was used historically as exterior sheathing for centuries by Native Americans across North America. They stripped the trees and tied the bark to pole structures and lodges. Air flowed naturally through these dwellings so there was no need for refinement or drying.

In 1895, the squared bark shingle made its debut in Linville N.C., when architect Henry Bacon (most famous for designing the Lincoln Memorial) introduced the style and set the standard for future Linville designs. His influence soon reached through other major resort communities in the Appalachian chain including Blowing Rock and Highlands.

Two variables differentiate his method. First, only the bark was used as a shingle. Others before him had used slabs from the first cut of the tree with bark intact to clad dwellings. Second, he squared the bottom edge of the bark mechanically, with a hand saw. This created a refinement that is not otherwise noted in other’s applications. Bacon created the first true squared bark shingle.

American Chestnut bark was used almost exclusively because it was readily available. Saw mills peeled chestnut bark to sell to tanneries and used the trees for almost all high grade wood products. In the mid 1900’s a blight accidentally introduced from China and first discovered in New York, devastated the entire species. Poplar Bark had not gone unnoticed. Poplar had no value for tanning bark, and the wood was not very desirable but it would peel in large smooth sheets. Private residences sided with Poplar Bark in the 30’s are in good condition and can still be viewed today.

With the chestnut blight of the 1940’s, chestnut bark was no longer available and the “Bark House” style lay dormant for over 60 years. Today, however, Highland Craftsmen® has revived the old-fashioned techniques for crafting bark shingles from poplar bark.

Poplar grows abundantly in the Southern forests and beyond, and is used primarily for the structural elements of furniture and in the plywood industry. We are proud that our careful harvesting methods actually save the poplar bark from becoming a waste product during conventional timber operations.

Maintenance-free bark siding is increasingly the material of choice for exclusive residential and commercial projects, and Highland Craftsmen is the premier purveyor. We stand behind our products with outstanding technical support and customer service. You can have confidence in our products and services, as we have over 20 years experience and continue to research and field test all applications.