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Clicking any heading in the main data area (at right) will scroll the page back to this top position. Use the following links to jump to the associated section in the main data. Blunting Effect Boring Comments Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Distribution Overview Drying Defects Ease of Drying Environmental Profile Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Drying Rate Kiln Schedules Luster Mortising Moulding Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Odor Painting Planing Polishing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Sapwood Color Scientific Name Staining Steam Bending Strength Properties Texture Trade Name Tree Size Turning Varnishing Veneering Qualities Scientific Name Platanus hybrida Trade Name European plane Family Name Platanaceae Common Names English plane, European plane, French plane, Lacewood, London plane, Platane Regions of Distribution Mediterranean Sea Region, Western Europe Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom Common Uses Boxes and crates, Cabinetmaking, Carvings, Cigar boxes, Decorative veneer, Fine furniture, Flooring, Furniture, Inlay work, Joinery, Paneling , Paneling, Veneer, Veneer: decorative Environmental Profile Environmental status not officially assessed Distribution Overview The natural growth range of in Europe, and includes the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy, and surrounding countries. It is highly tolerant of poor growing conditions such as polluted air and restricted root space, and has survived as a very successful street plant in London and other large cities of southern England. Heartwood Color Brown Green/grey Black Red Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Reddish brown White to cream Red Light reddish brown Dark brown Brown Plain European plane and Lacewood (obtained from highly figured, quartered plane) are often chemically treated to produce a form of Harewood, in which the background color becomes silver gray, but the broad rays retain their original color. The product of the chemical treatment is used for marquetry work Similar in color to Beech (Fagus) Sapwood Color White Red Brown Green/Grey Yellow Same as heartwood White to yellow Paler than heartwood Not distinct from heartwood Darker color due to wood irregularities Grain Distinct (figure) Figure Straight Even Figure shows rays Distinct and very fine figure Straight Generally straight, but not always Distinct figure Broad rays produce silver grain on quartersawn surfaces The reddish-brown color of the rays contrast with the lighter background color of the wood to produce a distinctive and highly decorative figure. The pattern produced by the rays on quartered surfaces has led to the name Lacewood, which is used to refer to quartersawn Plane timber only. Texture Fine Medium Fine Fine to medium Luster Lustrous Natural Durability Moderately durable Resistant to marine borers Perishable Non durable Vulnerable to attack by furniture beetle Very little natural resistance to decay in ground contact Odor No specific smell or taste Kiln Schedules Drying (speed) is fast UK=E US=T6D2/T3D1 Fr=5 Schedule E (4/) United Kingdom Dry at a moderate speed Drying Defects Distortion Tangential shrinkage may be 9% Splitting is less serious than distortion during drying Shrinkage from Green to 12% MC Severe twisting/warping Radial shrinkage is around 4% Moderate twist/warp Ease of Drying Fairly Easy Slowly Moderately Difficult to Difficult Easy Seasons at fairly rapid rate, but requires some care to prevent degrade Moderate Kiln Drying Rate Naturally dries slowly Tree Size Tree height is 20-30 m Tree height is 10-20 m Tree height is 30-40 m Bole length is 0-10 m Tree height is 40-50 m Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good Blunting Effect Moderate dulling effect on cutting edges Blunting effect on machining is moderate Boring Boring, mortising, and other machining properties are generally satisfactory Cutting Resistance Slight tendency for saws to bind Cross-Cutting and narrow band sawing operations are satisfactory Gluing Easy to glue Glues well Mortising Moderately easy to mortise Moulding Satisfactory moulding results Moulding ease is moderate Movement in Service Excellent Stability - Small Movement Good dimensional stability and shows little movement in use Nailing Holds nails well Good nailing characteristics Planing Ease of planing is moderate Satisfactory machining properties Reduced cutting angle recommended Planes to a satisfactory finish Broad rays tend to flake when planing quartersawn surfaces, unless cutting edges are kept very sharp Resistance to Impregnation Resistant heartwood Resistant sapwood Fairly good response to preservative treatment Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Easy to machine Moderate working qualities Responds well to hand tools Moderate dulling of cutting edges Turning Good results Finish is generally satisfactory Excellent turney wood for making fancy and decorative items Easy to turn Veneering Qualities Easy to cut Suitable for veneer manufacturing Suitable for slicing Steam Bending Fair to Good Results Very good Very good steam bending qualities Painting Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Polishing Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Satisfactory results Requires some care for good results Staining Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Finish is generally satisfactory Stains well under moderately controlled conditions Varnishing Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Max. crushing strength = medium Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low Bending strength (MOR) = low Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low Max. crushing strength = low Hardness (side grain) = very soft Work to Maximum Load Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = very low Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = low Toughness (total work) = low Shrinkage, Tangential = large Shrinkage, Radial = large Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Low stiffness High in density Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft. Bending strength (MOR) = medium Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 7278 10833 psi Density 39 lbs/ft3 Hardness 940 lbs Impact Strength 22 inches Maximum Crushing Strength 3501 5909 psi Shearing Strength 1323 psi Stiffness 1060 1291 1000 psi Toughness 167 inch-lbs Work to Maximum Load 7 10 inch-lbs/in3 Specific Gravity 0.59 Weight 39 38 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 6 % Tangential Shrinkage 10 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 511 761 kg/cm2 Density 624 kg/m3 Hardness 426 kg Impact Strength 55 cm Maximum Crushing Strength 246 415 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 93 kg/cm2 Stiffness 74 90 1000 kg/cm2 Toughness 192 cm-kg Work to Maximum Load 0.49 0.70 cm-kg/cm3 Specific Gravity 0.59 Weight 624 608 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 6 % References Banks, C.H., Schoeman, J.P., Otto, K.P.,1977,The Mechanical Properties of Timbers with particular reference to South,Africa,South African Forestry Research Institute Bulletin,(Ed.,Schoeman, J.P. 1973 & Otto K.P. 1976,No.48 Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World, No. 6 Europe,TRADA, Red Booklet Series Farmer, R.H.,1972,Handbook of Hardwoods,HMSO 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. HMSO. 1985. Broadleaves. Forestry Commission Booklet No. 20. Text by H.E. Edlin. Revised by A.F. Mitchell. Forestry Commission, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London. Lavers, G.M. 1967. The Strength Properties of Timbers. Forest Products Research Bulletin, No. 50 (Spersedes Bulletin No. 45). Ministry of Technology, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London. Lavers, G.M.,1983,The Strength Properties of Timber (3rd ed. revised Moore G.L.,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Building Research,Establishment Report (formerly Bulletin No.50) Lincoln, W.A. 1986. World Woods in Color. Linden Publishing Co. Inc. Fresno, California. Patterson, D. 1988. Commercial Timbers of the World. Fifth Edition. Gower Technical Press, Aldershot, UK. ix + 339 pp. Patterson, D.,1988,Commercial Timbers of the World, 5th Edition,Gower Technical Press T.D.A.,1942,Timber Leaflet - No.68 Plane,TRADA Timber Leaflet