Knees are an integral structural component in traditional  wooden boat construction.  The knee is formed  by the angle of the root and butt of the tree, harvested  from the ground with a shovel , axe  and leverage, then sawn,  striped of bark and stored until dry .

Hackmatack is the preferred species for knees because of its slow even growth making a wood that is tough and durable with the root often  growing at  right angles to the tree. Also known as Tamarack, Larch or Juniper, Hackmatack is prolific in the swamps and bogs of SW Nova Scotia. Besides knees Hackmatack is a versitle wood in boat construction, clear straight lengths are suitable for steam bent  frames . Often the tree has a couple wiggles in its growth, which can be advantageously used for sawn frames and deck beams.

Six inch knees supplied for the latest refit of the Schooner Ernestina (2009)