NATIVE/EUROPEAN OAK: BROWN: D

This is a very unusual characteristic obtained from a Native or European Oak tree which has been attacked by the Beef-steak fungus (Fistulina hepatica) which gains entry to the wood through an open wound where a limb has been blown off. Unlike many fungi which cause serious decay and eventually kill a tree, the Beef-steak fungus simply extracts enough nourishment for itself and the wood is stained by the chemical changes that occur. Some specimen trees also show brown penetrating from the tree root. This is particularly apparent in old park grown trees. It is a highly prized and valuable timber and most trees are cut into veneers. We hold limited stocks of both air dried and kiln dried boards with Brown Oak logs held in the round for sawing to customer’s requirements. Our grade of Brown Oak is in the main clear ‘A’ grade but may include some ‘B’ grade with heart shake and knots being apparent.

Production: T/T, 1S/E, S/E, DIM.

1) Quercus petraea/sessiliflora
(2) Quercus robur/pendunculata
Family: Fagaceae

Commercial names: Native/English, French, German Oak etc., according to country of origin. (1) Sessile or Durmast Oak (2) Pedunculate Oak.

Other names: Rovere, Quercia (Italy); Chene (France); Eiche (Germany); Eik (Netherlands).

Distribution: UK and Europe.

General description: The 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. Our Native oak is tough and hard with more apparent mineral stain in the grain compared to the French and German oaks. Native oak is slightly heavier weighing 720 kg/m3 (45 lb/ft3); specific gravity 0.72. Whereas the French and German oaks are slightly lighter in weight at 670 kg/m3 (42 lb/ft3); specific gravity 0.67.

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.

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

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

Uses: The preponderance of tyloses in the pores of “white oaks” resist the passage of liquids and renders the wood ideal for tight cooperage for cognac, wine and beers. For furniture, cabinetmaking, 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 carvings. Flooring, vehicle body bearers and floors in trucks. Beams are produced from selected logs for restoration work in old buildings.

JBT Comments: The question is frequently asked what is the difference between our Native British Oak and European French and German Oak. The answer is sometimes given as “25 miles of sea”. This does in fact sum it up. There is hardly any difference and many furniture and joinery manufacturers incorporate both types into the same piece of work and even an expert eye has difficulty in spotting the difference. We offer both types separately and detail below the specifications and properties of each. We are also asked, what is the difference between all European Oaks and American White Oak. Firstly European is normally log sawn through and through or one square edge whereas American White Oak is square edged. European Oak is available in larger and wider clear cutting boards up to 20ft or longer and can be both plain sawn/crown cut and include quartered and semi-quartered boards due to the way the log is converted. Whereas, American White Oak is normally all plain sawn with a maximum width of 12ins to 14ins and maximum lengths of 14ft to 16ft (See our note on Pages 36 to 37 regarding conversion of North American Hardwoods). The colour in both types can vary dependent on soil and region. American White Oak is heavier than European Oaks. Bearing all these points in mind we feel the main and most important factor is that compared with European Oak, American White Oak can be dull and bland whereas European stock seems to glow with warmth when finished. Even though increased supplies of European Oak are now available from Eastern Europe. The majority of our European Oak originates mainly from Germany with smaller quantities from France. Both countries have had established reafforestation policies for over 300 years with the emphasis on hardwoods, particularly Oak. With 27% of the land area in France and 30% in Germany being afforested and much of this area predominantly Oak and Beech. Whereas the UK has only 10.3% of land area afforested with only 27% of this being hardwoods. Bearing these facts in mind and experiencing a constant increase in demand for our Native Oak, 27 years ago we brought our first trailer load of French Oak into the UK., in order to supplement our Native stocks. Over the 27 years we have been purchasing Oak from France and Germany we have dealt with many different shippers and now feel we have a unique combination of shippers who are able to offer stocks to cover all our varied requirements. We now import over 15,000 cubic feet of European Oak each month. With every board being remeasured and regraded in our mill prior to re-sale. The overall clear cutting specifications and mildness of the stock makes it easier to work and use than our Native stock. But as previously stated it is very difficult to tell the difference between the two types.

GRADING OF NATIVE/BRITISH & EUROPEAN OAK
Although clear grade Oak remains in good demand. The continued increase in demand for Oak which includes various types of “character” has meant that each sawmill or shipper has established their own particular interpretation of what they think the customer requires. In turn each customer has their own ideas of their requirement. This position has lead to some confusion and surprisingly to a number of interesting discussions!! In France there are some grading rules, however in the main we find that each sawmill has their own interpretation of these rules. Whereas in Britain and Germany there are no set grading rules. In order to avoid some of this confusion and misunderstanding we have illustrated our own grading of European and Native Oak on pages 84 to 101 of the JBT catalogue.