Planed All Round European Oak Timber

Our European Oak timber is sourced from France and planed to order in our factory here in Yorkshire. The heartwood varies from light tan to biscuit or deep brown, with distinct bands of earlywood and latewood. The grain is usually straight, but irregular or cross grain can occur including some small knots. Rays and growth rings show an attractive figuring ("silver grain") when quarter sawn.

Properties
A fairly hard, heavy and dense hardwood, with high crushing and bending strength, low stiffness and resistance to shock loads. Preboring is advised for nailing and screwing, and a reduced planing angle is advised for irregular or cross-grained stock. Oak timber turns satisfactorily, is good for gluing, painting, sanding, staining and varnishing and will take high polish. European oak can be darkened by fuming with ammonia. Due to tannins present in the timber, oak wood will react with ferrous metals when wet. Select non-ferrous (brass or stainless steel) fixings where possible.

Durability
Extremely durable.

Typical Uses
Oak timber is often used for furniture and cabinetmaking, quality joinery including church pews and pulpits, office furniture, kitchen cabinets, flooring (including parquet), coffins, boats and harbour work, truck bodies, cooperage for wines, cognac and beer. Planed oak timber is sliced for decorative veneers and rotary-cut to make plywood.

Interesting Facts
Grows: this species is known to grow across Europe, Turkey, North Africa, Southeastern Canada and Northeastern USA
Typical height: 60-100 ft (18-30m)
Trunk diameter: 4-6 ft (1.2-1.8m)
Specific gravity: 0.72
Typical dry weight: 45lb/ft³ (720kg/m³)