blacksaw:

“This little building in the very north of Norway near Russia was built by Hans Schaanning around 1907. If you look closely at the roof you can see the white birch bark curling where you would expect to see the gutter. The bark provides the waterproof membrane for the roof and the turf above it keeps it in place and the house warm. A roof like this can expect to last for some 50 years. The trees the bark was taken from recover after about 10-15 years when they are ready to be harvested again. The thought of living amongst the factories (woodland) that provide you (or your children) with the materials for your roof in 50 years time is a rather beautiful feeling.”