NATIVE SPALTED BEECH: A
This is mainly Native Beech which has been attacked by a fungus when the tree is left in the round log for sometime, normally in damp conditions. It is apparent in the form of fine black and brown irregular strips or hyphae, which do not necessarily run with the grain in the board. As it is a living fungus we recommend that some protection should be worn when converting and working boards where spalting is apparent. Offered for sale as air dried only.

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

Fagus sylvatica
Family: Fagaceae

This is European White Beech which is steamed to a mellow dark pink colour. The steaming process equalises the colour of the boards and tends to make them easier to work. Our European Steamed Beech originates mainly from Germany and is dark steamed very similar to Romanian Steamed Beech. We feel our German production offers more even steaming compared to Romanian stock. All other properties are as European White Beech.

Grade: Prime Waney Edged. As with our White Beech, we hold the finest grade available. There may be some heart apparent in some boards.

JBT Comments: Steamed Beech has grown tremendously in popularity over the past few years on the Continent as a substitute for Tropical Redwoods. In Germany it shows signs of overtaking Unsteamed Beech in general usage.

Sticker marks/shadow: At certain times of the year, due to climate conditions there is a tendency for this problem to occur. Although we endeavour to purchase our stock free from sticker marks/shadow which penetrate into the board, our shippers of waney edged through and through boards do not class this as a defect. We have however found a prime square edge production which is guaranteed free from this sticker mark problem.

Certification: We have established a supply of European Steamed Beech which is produced from well managed forests, independently certified in accordance with the rules of the Forest Stewardship Council A.C. and/or The Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes. All our Certified Timber is processed through our Chains of Custody which are audited by BM TRADA Certification.

Grade: We offer Prime Waney Edged in through and through log sawn production. Unfortunately other lower grades, particularly First Quality are imported and offered as Prime. It is important to establish the grade and specification offered when making price comparisons. The “Prime” grade of the waney edged stock we offer is predominantly sideboards known as “looseware”. The grade is selected in principle free from colour and defects on one face, whilst allowing some colour and small defects on the reverse of some boards. With our stock being from sideboards there is little or no quarter sawn stock in our production. We can offer quarter sawn stock in one square edge or square edged boards to order.

Spalted Beech: This is mainly found in Native Beech which has been attacked by a fungus when left in the round log for sometime, normally in damp conditions. It is apparent in the form of fine black and brown irregular stripes or hyphae, which do not necessarily run with the grain. As it is a living fungus we recommend that some protection should be worn when converting and working boards where spalting is apparent.

Specification: Waney edge, through and through, 2.5 metres and longer, average 3 metres; allowing 5% 2.1 metres and longer. 200mm and wider. One square edge, resawn after kilning; 1.8 metres and longer, average 2.7 metres. 125mm and wider, average 175mm. Allowing maximum 5% 1.5 metres and/or 75mm/100mm.

Stockholding: 4,000 cubic feet in kiln dried stock 20mm through to 80mm thickness. Our 100mm stock is well air dried only.

Grade: Prime Square edge, which is in principle free from major defect on all faces and free from sticker marks/shadow.

Specification: 2 metres and longer averaging 2.4 up to 3.6 metres. 100mm and wider averaging 150mm and better.

Stockholding: 2,000 cubic feet in kiln dried stock 20mm through to 80mm thickness. Squares are also available to order.