European Oak
European Oak
Quercus petrea, Quercus robur
Other name: European White Oak
General description
Oak trees are one of the dominant broad-leaved species of temperate Europe. The trees grow 20 – 30 m in height with diameters ranging from 40 – 80 cm.
Wood description
Sapwood is thin, between 1 to 4 cm, and white.The clearly demarcated heartwood is light brown to dark brown. Oak is mostly straight grained with a medium to coarse texture.
Annual rings and rays are clearly visible, oak is a ring porous wood.
European White Oak is a hard and heavy wood with medium strength properties.
Machining is well, nailing and screwing properties are good, but pre-boring is necessary. Gluing must be done with care, the wood is dense, slightly acid an rich in tannins.
Common uses
European White Oak is one of the most important hardwoods and is mainly used for furniture and flooring. It is also used for stairs, windows and doors and also for external paneling.
| Physical characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Density (at 12 % moisture content) | 702 kg⁄m3 |
| Total longitudinal shrinkage | 0.4 % |
| Total radial shrinkage | 4.3 % |
| Total tangential shrinkage | 8.9 % |
| Equilibrium moisture content | |
| (20° C⁄ 37 % rel. humidity) | 8.9 % |
| (20° C⁄ 83 % rel. humidity) | 17.2 % |
| Mechanical characteristics | |
| Modulus of elasticity under bending | 13000 N⁄mm2 |
| Modulus of rupture under bending | 88 N⁄mm2 |
| Tension strength | 90 N⁄mm2 |
| Compression strength | 61 N⁄mm2 |
| Brinell hardness perpendicular to the fibres | 34 N⁄mm2 |
| Janka Hardness | 4.5 kN |
| Nail withdrawal strength in N per mm depth and mm diameter | 17 N⁄mm2 |
| Natural durability and treatability (according to en 350-2) | |
| Fungi | Class 2 durable |
| Dry wood borers | durable |
| Termites | Class M – moderately durable |
| Treatability | 4 – not permeable |
Natural durability is based on mature heartwood. Sapwood must always be considered as non durable against wood destroying agents.