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Blunting Effect Comments Common Names Common Uses Corrosive Properties Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Distribution Overview Drying Defects Ease of Drying Environmental Profile Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Schedules Luster Moulding Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Odor Painting Planing Polishing Product Sources References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Staining Steam Bending Strength Properties Substitutes Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Varnishing Veneering Qualities Scientific Name Quercus petraea Trade Name European oak Family Name Fagaceae Common Names Austrian oak, Bergek, Brown oak, Cucharillo, Durmast, Durmast oak, Encino, Encino negro, English brown oak, English oak, European oak, French oak, Mamecillo, Pedunculate oak, Polish oak, Roblecito, Sessile oak, Slavonian oak, Volhynian oak, Yugoslavian oak Regions of Distribution Africa, Eastern Europe, Western Europe Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Yugoslavia Common Uses Boat building (general), Boat building, Boat building: framing, Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Carvings, Chairs, Chests, Coffins, Concealed parts (Furniture), Cooperages, Decorative plywood, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Domestic flooring, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Excelsior, Exterior trim & siding, Exterior uses, Factory flooring, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring, Flooring: commercial heavy traffic, Foundation posts, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Interior construction, Joinery (external): ground contact, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Lifeboats, Light construction, Living-room suites, Lock gates, Marine construction, Mine timbers, Moldings, Musical instruments, Office furniture, Paneling , Paneling, Parquet flooring, Plywood, Posts, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Railroad ties, Rustic furniture, Shakes, Sheathing, Turnery, Vats, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative, Wheel spokes, Wheels Environmental Profile Status has not been officially assessed Distribution Overview European oak is native to Europe, northern Africa, and western Asia, and is more abundant in France, Poland, Yugoslavia, and the Baltic countries. It is the most common forest tree in Great Britain, especially Wales, and is found in pure stands and mixed forests, where it is often the dominant species. also reported to have naturalized locally in south-eastern Canada and north-eastern United States, and is planted in the south-eastern and Pacific states. The tree is cultivated in moist soils, and is found along roadsides and forest edges. Heartwood Color Red White Pink Brown Brown Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Yellowish brown White to cream Pale brown Light tan to deep brown Wood structure and quality are heavily influenced by growth conditions. Typically the wood has alternating bands of large-pored early wood and dense late wood, but timber from slow growing trees may have very narrow late wood zones, and are therefore soft and light in weight. Central European oak trees are reported to grow slowly and relatively evenly, and produce wood of uniform color and straight grain. Wood from northern Europe is typically harder and tougher. Sapwood Color Red White Paler than heartwood Well defined The distinct sapwood is the same color as the heartwood, but is lighter. Grain Figure Distinct (figure) Straight Stripe (figure) Rays (figure) Other (figure) Even Growth rings (figure) Distinct and very fine figure Striped figure Straight Rays figure Other figure Clear growth rings (figure) May be irregular or cross depending on growing conditions Generally straight, but not always A fungal attack in the growing tree produces a rich deep red heartwood and results in Brown Oak. Bog Oak is formed by chemical changes resulting from burying European oak in peat bogs for centuries. Broad rays and distinct growth rings produce an attractive figure on quarter sawn surfaces. Texture Fine Coarse Luster High Slightly lustrous Lustrous Natural Durability Perishable Non-durable Moderately durable Non-resistant to powder post beetles Susceptible to insect attack Durable Very durable Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Heartwood resistant to decay Logs and green lumber are susceptible to attack by ambrosia beetles (pinhole-borer). The sapwood is vulnerable to attack by powder-post beetles and the common furniture beetle. Odor No specific smell or taste Corrosive Properties Reacts with metals Kiln Schedules Dry at a slow speed UK=C US=T3C2/T3C1 Fr=3 US=T3-C2/T1-C1 UK=C Drying Defects Splitting Distortion Moderate end spitting Moderate surface checking Severe collapse and honeycomb Moderate twist/warp Warping can be expected Slight end splitting Honeycombing possible Expect splits Checking A yellow stain, which eventually disappears, is also common during drying. Ease of Drying Difficult Dries very slowly Liable to split and check especially during the initial drying stages Tree Identification Bole/stem form is straight Tree Size Tree height is 20-30 m Tree height is 10-20 m Forest grown trees are reported to produce straight, clear boles that are sometimes up to 50 feet (15 m) in length. Product Sources Supplies of the brown variety of European oak is limited since it is in high demand for special uses and effects. Price is in the high range when it is imported into the US. Oaks native to the United States are usually substituted for the common type of English oak since they have the same uses. Substitutes Dahoma (Piptadeniastrum africana) is a good substitute for high-grade logs. Comments English brown oak is the product of trees that have been stained brown by the beef-steak fungus (Fistulina hepatica ). Seasoning the wood is reported to kill the fungus. This variety of English oak is highly desired as a decorative wood for paneling and joinery. General finishing qualities are rated as good The wood is described as acidic and may cause corrosion in some metals, such as iron and steel, which come in contact with it. Vapors from wood in the green condition may also be very corrosive. Blunting Effect Blunting effect on machining is moderate Moderate effect Blunting effect on machining is variable Denser wood may blunt cutting tools at a more rapid rate than lighter woods. Cutting Resistance Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy Satisfactory sawing properties Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Gluing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to glue Moderate gluing properties Good properties Moulding Good finishing results Movement in Service Medium Small Moderate dimensional stability after seasoning Large Nailing Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Possible if prebored Holds nails well Difficult to nail Pre-boring recommended Planing Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Planes well, to a good finish A reduced angle of 20 degrees is recommended in planing material containing cross and irregular grain. Resistance to Impregnation Heartwood is highly resistant Sapwood is permeable Response to Hand Tools Variable qualities Moderate working qualities Difficult to machine Easy to machine Screwing Screwing yields good results Pre-boring recommended Possible if prebored Easy to screw Turning Responds satisfactorily Wood working properties are reported to vary with density Veneering Qualities Suitable for peeling Easy to cut European oak trees stained brown by the beef-steak fungus become the popular Brown oak. These are converted into highly decorative veneers which have naturally stained, attractively varied colors that cannot be matched by any artificial process. Steam Bending Very good Good Wood moisture content should be reduced to 25 percent before steam bending, since green material has a tendency to rupture on the inner surface. The bent material should be dried slowly during the setting period, and to prevent staining, the steamed wood should be kept away from iron or iron compounds. Painting Good results Polishing Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Good results High finish Staining Reacts with Iron to discolour wood Finish is generally good Good characteristics Varnishing Good results Well defined Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Max. crushing strength = medium Bending strength (MOR) = medium Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Hardness (side grain) = soft Work to Maximum Load = very low Shrinkage, Radial = very small Shrinkage, Radial = small Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Shrinkage, Radial = large Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low High in density Heavy Hardness = medium Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Crushing strength = high Compression strength (parallel to grain) = high Bending strength (MOR) = high Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 8787 14081 psi Density 43 lbs/ft3 Hardness 1122 lbs Impact Strength 33 32 inches Maximum Crushing Strength 3918 6859 psi Shearing Strength 1791 psi Stiffness 1285 1518 1000 psi Work to Maximum Load 7 10 inch-lbs/in3 Specific Gravity 0.65 Weight 43 42 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 3 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 617 990 kg/cm2 Density 689 kg/m3 Hardness 508 kg Impact Strength 83 81 cm Maximum Crushing Strength 275 482 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 125 kg/cm2 Stiffness 90 106 1000 kg/cm2 Work to Maximum Load 0.49 0.70 cm-kg/cm3 Specific Gravity 0.65 Weight 689 673 kg/m3 References Armstrong, F.H.,1960,The Strength Properties of Timber,Forest Products Research Laboratory, London Bulletin,No.45 Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World, No. 6 Europe,TRADA, Red Booklet Series Clifford, N.,1957,Timber Identification for the Builder and Architect,Leonard Hill (Books) LTD. London Constantine, Jr. A.J. 1975. Know Your Woods - A Complete Guide to Trees, Woods, and Veneers. Revised Edition. Revised by H.J. Hobbs. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York. Farmer, R.H.,1972,Handbook of Hardwoods,HMSO Findlay, W.P.K.,1975,Timber: Properties and Uses,Crosby Lockwood Staples London,224PP Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1937,A Handbook of Home-Grown Timbers,HMSO Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1967,The Steam Bending Properties of various timbers,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Leaflet,No.45 Forests Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1956,A Handbook of Hardwoods,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Department of,Science and Industrial Research, Building Research Establishment HMSO. 1981. Handbook of Hardwoods, 2nd Edition. Revised by R.H. Farmer, Department of the Environment, Building Research Establishment, Princes Risborough Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. Howard, A.L.,1948,A Manual of Timbers of the World.,Macmillan & Co. Ltd. London 3rd ed. Jackson, A. and D. Day. 1991. Good Wood Handbook - The Woodworker's Guide to Identifying, Selecting and Using the Right Wood. HarperCollins Publishers, London. Kline, M. 1982. Quercus robur - English oak. In A Guide to Useful Woods of the World. Flynn Jr., J.H., Editor. King Philip Publishing Co., Portland, Maine. 1994. Page 307-308. Kukachka, B.F.,1962,Characters of Some Imported Woods,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison,,Foreign Wood Series,No.2242 Laidlaw, W.B.R. 1960. Guide to British Hardwoods. Published by Leonard Hill [Books] Limited, 9 Eden Street, N.W.1, London. Lavers, G.M. 1966. The Strength Properties of Timbers. Forest Products Research Bulletin, No. 50. Ministry of Technology, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London. Lincoln, W.A. 1986. World Woods in Color. Linden Publishing Co. Inc, Fresno, California Little, E.L. 1980. The Audobon Society Field Guide to North American Trees - Western Region. Published by Arthur A. Knopf, New York. Patterson, D.,1988,Commercial Timbers of the World, 5th Edition,Gower Technical Press Redding, L.W.,1971,Resistance of Timbers to Impregnation with Creosote,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Building Research,Establishment Bulletin No.54 pp.43 Rendle, B.J.,1969,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Ernest Benn Ltd. London Rijsdijk, L.F. and Laming, P.B.,1994,Physical and Related Properties of 145 Timbers, Information for,Practice,TNO Building and Construction Research Centre for Timber Research Kluwer,Academic Publishers Smith, D.N.,1959,The Natural Durability of Timber,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Building Research,Establishment Record,No.30 T.R.A.D.A.,1942,Home-grown timber trees - their characteristics, cultivation and Uses,TRADA Thomas, A.V.,1964,Timbers Used in the Boat Building Industry A Survey,Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Forest Products Research,Laboratory Timber Development Association Ltd.,1955,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Timber Development Association Ltd. Titmuss, F.H.,1965,Commercial Timbers of the World,Technical Press Ltd., London, 3rd edition WCMC. 1992. Conservation Status Listing - Trees and Timbers of the World. World Conservation Monitoring Center-Plants Programme, Cambridge, CB3 ODL, United Kingdom.