From Forest to Finished Gate: A Locally Made Oak Electric Gate in Somerset

Every gate installation has a story, but few begin with the timber growing in the woodland beside the entrance.

For this recent Somerset project, the oak used to create a new single-leaf, five-bar gate and its matching posts was felled on the customer’s own land. It was then taken just a few miles down the road to local sawmill and timber specialist Interesting Timbers, where it was machined and made into the finished gate and posts.

The completed oak gate was then brought back to the property to be installed and automated.

From forest to finished entrance, the timber travelled no more than six miles.

The woodland setting where the oak began its journey.

Oak with a story behind it

The customer is a tree surgeon and already had suitable oak available within his own woodland.

Instead of purchasing timber of unknown origin and transporting it across the country, the decision was made to use a natural resource already available on the property.

This gave the customer complete knowledge of where the timber originated and created a gate with a genuine connection to its surroundings. It does not simply complement the woodland setting—it was made from timber grown there.

Oak from the customer’s own woodland before being locally machined.

Local timber and local craftsmanship

After being felled, the oak was transported approximately three miles to Interesting Timbers, a working sawmill based in Emborough, near Radstock.

Their team machined the customer’s oak and used it to produce the bespoke five-bar gate and matching solid oak posts required for the entrance.

Using a local company kept the timber’s journey remarkably short while supporting another Somerset business. It also meant the gate could be made specifically for the entrance rather than selected from a standard, mass-produced range.

Locally sourced timber does not make a project completely impact-free, but reducing unnecessary transport, using material already available on the site and creating something with a long potential service life are all meaningful choices.

This was not about attaching a fashionable “green” label to the installation. It was simply a practical and responsible way to use a valuable natural resource.

Installing the new oak gate

Once the gate and posts were ready, the installation work could begin.

The locally machined oak posts ready for installation.

The solid oak posts were carefully positioned to provide the correct support, alignment and geometry for the long single gate leaf. This is particularly important when automating a substantial timber gate, as its weight and leverage place considerable forces on the hinges, posts and operating equipment.

The solid oak gate posts installed during the automation groundwork.

Ducting, cabling and foundations were installed for the automation, access-control and safety equipment, while keeping the finished appearance as discreet as possible.

The completed system includes keypad access, allowing authorised users to operate the gate without needing a separate remote control. Appropriate gate-safety equipment was also incorporated into the installation.

Combining traditional design with modern gate automation

A five-bar oak gate is perfectly suited to a rural entrance, but automation adds everyday convenience and controlled access without taking away from its traditional appearance.

The equipment for this installation was chosen and configured around the size, weight and movement of the single gate leaf. The operator, control system and safety devices all needed to work together reliably while remaining sympathetic to the setting.

The result combines traditional Somerset craftsmanship with modern gate automation: a locally made oak gate that looks completely at home in the landscape while providing convenient and dependable access to the property.

The completed oak gate with keypad access and automated operation.

Designed for its surroundings

A standard gate would never have had quite the same relationship with this location.

The natural colour and character of the oak sit comfortably against the surrounding woodland and open fields. As the timber gradually weathers, the gate should blend even further into the rural landscape.

From the woodland where the tree grew, to a local sawmill and back to the finished entrance, each stage of the gate’s journey remained within just a few miles.

A six-mile journey from forest to finished gate

Projects like this demonstrate what can be achieved when local materials, specialist craftsmanship and carefully planned automation are brought together.

The oak began its journey on the customer’s land. It travelled approximately three miles to Interesting Timbers, where it was transformed into a bespoke five-bar gate and matching posts, before returning to become part of a secure and practical automated entrance.

The timber’s total journey was no more than six miles—but the finished gate should remain part of the property for many years to come.

If you are considering a wooden electric gate, a five-bar farm gate or an automated entrance for a rural property, TS Automation can help you explore the available options.

We install, repair and maintain electric gates throughout Somerset and the surrounding areas.

Telephone: 01749 681391

Email: tom@tsautomation.co.uk

Website: www.tsautomation.co.uk