European Oak

European Oak's heartwood is light tan to biscuit coloured, usually straight-grained, but irregular or cross-grained material can occur depending on growth conditions.

Durability:

The heartwood is durable, extremely resistant to preservative treatment, but the sapwood is permeable. The acidic nature of oak will affect metals in indirect contact and cause corrosion. Non-ferrous or galvanised metals should be used.

Mechanical Properties:

Oak has a very good steam bending classification, but is liable to blue stain if in contact with iron compounds.

Seasoning:

It dries very slowly with a tendency to split and check. Medium movement in service.

Uses:

  • For furniture and cabinetmaking, Slavonian, Volhynian and Spessart (German) oaks are preferred
  • English oak is best for boat building, dock and harbour work, sea defences, railway wagons, ladder rungs, sills, thresholds, and for all purposes of exposure in contact with the ground
  • High-class joinery, coffins, ecclesiastical work such as pews, rood screens pulpits, and carving
  • Flooring, vehicle body bearers and floors in trucks
  • Oak is rotary cut for plywood manufacture and sliced for very attractive “silver grain” and “raindrop” figured oak veneers for panels and cabinets
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Description

European Oak’s heartwood is light tan to biscuit coloured, usually straight-grained, but irregular or cross-grained material can occur depending on growth conditions. Characteristic silver grain figure on quartered surfaces due to broad rays. British and Baltic oaks are tough and hard, weighing 720 kg/m³ (45 lb/ft³), but the Volhynian oak of south east Poland, and even milder oak from Yugoslavia known as Slavonian oak weights 670 kg/m³ (42 lb/ft³); specific gravity from .67 to .72 according to type.

Additional information

Latin Name

Quercus robur

Family Name

Fagaceae

Distribution

UK and Europe

Also know as

Rovere, quercia (Italy); chêne (France); eiche (Germany); eik (Netherlands)

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