The hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) is associated with beech, oak and maple in temperate forests. It has been cultivated for centuries, in the past often in the so-called coppice forest, where it was repeatedly felled and sprouted again on its own ‘on the stick’. In the meantime, hornbeams have also grown into respectable strong wood and are available to processors in thicker diameters.
Sapwood and heartwood not differentiated in color; wood from gray-white to yellowish-white in color. Fine-pored, with a simple texture. fibers, comparable to tropical woods. Simple.
Density at u=12% is 0.77 (0.54-0.86)t/m³ – depending on the growth location. The shrinkage from the fresh state to u=12% is specified as 7.7% tangential and 4.6% radial. Shrinking more strongly with only sufficient stamina. Despite its hardness, it can be worked cleanly with all tools and is easy to profile and turn. Produces uniformly smooth surfaces, easy to polish and stain.
The Brinell hardness is given as 32, the modulus of elasticity as approx. 15,500 N/mm2.Hornbeam is naturally not weather-resistant.
Handles for striking tools, planer soles, beer tables, chopping blocks for butchers, parquet & floorboards, longbows / sports bows, etc.
| Sources: |
GOTTWALD 1970: Wood identification of the most important commercial timbers ARGE Holz 1998: Native timber and its use |
