In the peat bogs on Skye where I grew up and where people still cut peat for fuel, you often see the remains of silver birch trees that must have grown a couple of thousand years ago.

They're often so well-preserved that not only can you clearly see the markings on the bark but you can sometimes make out the rings in the wood.

I remember my dad pulling out a piece that was so well preserved you could see where deer had gnawed it.