Oak, European

Names and distribution:

The name ‘oak’ stands for the oak species found throughout Europe, especially in Germany and France: English oak(Quercus robur) and sessile oak(Quercus petraea).
Oak has always been cultivated in native deciduous forests, often in preference to beech. Popular in so-called “Hudewälder” forests as a source of food for domestic animals. Symbolic tree species in Germany and France, very popular in England.

Wooden picture:

Sapwood clearly separated from the heartwood, sapwood yellowish white, heartwood grayish light brown, later darkening to yellowish brown in the light. Coarse pores, arranged in so-called half-rings. Conspicuously broad medullary rays, which are particularly clearly visible on radial sections (mirror). Decorative hardwood with striking striped to veined pattern.

Properties:

Medium-weight wood. The specific weight is given as approx. 0.72 ^t/m3 at a wood moisture content of 12%. The shrinkage of sap-fresh wood to u=12% is specified as 4.0% radial and 7.5% tangential. The dimensional stability of oak is good, traditionally used for dimensionally stable frameworks. Oak is easy to work with all tools; smooth surfaces are produced. E-modulus is 13,000 ^N/mm2. The Brinell hardness is given as 34. Oak heartwood is classified in resistance class 2, the sapwood is susceptible to blue stain and fungi and is not durable.
The wood’s own tannic acid in combination with iron is problematic. This causes the wood to discolor irreversibly. Care must be taken to use high-quality fasteners (V2A, V4A steel). Outdoor use is not without its problems.

Use:

Parquet flooring, high-quality doors and windows, stairs, veneers, barrels, turned parts