EUROPEAN OAK
Family: Fagaceae

Commercial Names:
Sessile or durmast oak, pedunculate oak (English, French, Polish oak).

Distribution:
UK and Europe, Asia Minor and North Africa.

General Description:
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.

Color:
Light tan to biscuit colored.

Weight:
British and Baltic oaks - 720 kg/m3 (45 lb/ft3).
Slovanian oak - 670 kg/m3 (42 lb/ft3).

Specific Gravity:
From .67 to .72, according to type.

Mechanical Properties:
•  Steam bending classification - very good
•  If in contact with iron compounds - blue stain

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

Working properties:
There is a moderate to severe blunting effect on cutters, which should be kept sharp. Quartered stock requires a 20 degrees planing or moulding angle. The wood takes waxing, liming, fuming and polishing treatments very well.

Durability:
The heartwood is durable, extremely resistant to preservative treatment, but the sapwood is permeable.

Uses:
•  Furniture and cabinet making
•  Boat building
•  Sea defenses
•  Railway wagons
•  High-class joinery
•  Coffins
•  Ecclesiastical work such as pews, rood screens, pulpits, and carving