European oak - a symbol of strength, a hard, dense and resistant wood on the outside

There is something mystical about the oak tree, its acorns and leaves being symbolic in many countries, such as England, where the oak is considered the royal tree, with many pubs calling themselves 'The Royal Oak'. It is a symbol of strength, of power. It's also the reason it was chosen as the name for Romania's rugby team - Oaks. It gives the same impression of quiet, seated strength to the houses where it is used. Oak is valued both by those who work with it and those who have it in their homes as furniture. There are enough reasons for the article below to be dedicated to it.

The oak tree, a blend of wisdom and mysticism

The species we are referring to is the pedunculate oak, and the scientific name is Quercus robur or Quercus pedunculata. It is also called European, common or English oak. In English it is english or european oak, in Italian oak, in French chene, in German eiche, and in Spanish European oak. It is native to Europe, Asia Minor and western Asia. It is also cultivated in other areas such as China, North America and Australia.

In the genus Quercus there are many different species (over 600, according to some sources), some similar to the European oak, others almost without any resemblance. For example, in southern Europe (Italy) there is Quercus brutia, which is very similar, and in the USA there is Quercus rubra, a species similar in name but very different in appearance. About known Quercus species such as cerus cerris (Quercus cerris) or gorun (Quercus petraea), find information on hereand here.

Throughout the ages, the significance of the oak tree has been a blend of wisdom and mysticism. It has often embodied strength, longevity and endurance and has a long and rich history in many cultures and mythologies. In ancient Greece, the oak was dedicated to Zeus, king of the gods, who was often depicted wearing a crown of oak leaves on his head, a symbol of power and authority. The Druids believed that oak trees were portals to the other world, where the gods and ancestors dwelt. The sacred wood of the oak tree was burned during the summer solstice celebrations, marking the transition to the other half of the year. In Norse mythology, the oak was associated with the thunder god Thor. The Vikings carved amulets and talismans from oak for protection. In medieval Europe, it was believed that if one listened carefully to the rustling of oak leaves one could hear messages from the spirit world offering guidance and insight.

The pedunculate oak can live over 1000 years

The Pedunculate Oak is a strong and robust tree that can live for over 1000 years. The oldest oak in Romania, more than 900 years old, is in Suceava county. The girth of an old oak can reach up to 10-12 m. It normally grows to 30-35 m in height and 2-4 m in girth and is slow growing. The bark is blackish-brown, rough, deeply furrowed longitudinally and transversely and has a high tannin content. This is why it was intensively used in the past in tanning. It also has therapeutic properties, being used to make teas, tinctures and ointments. The branches are long and gnarled, and the crown broad and rich.

The leaves are drooping, lobed, have between 4 and 8 lobes, and the petiole is short. In autumn the leaves turn a very attractive yellowish-brown colour. It flowers in May and has both male and female flowers. The male flowers are clustered in 10 cm hanging inflorescences and the female flowers are solitary or clustered up to 5, occur at the base of the leaf, are red and have no petals. The fruits are acorns that are clustered in groups of 2-3 at the end of a hanging petiole. The acorns are 2-4 cm long and 1-1.5 cm wide, oval, green when young and yellowish-brown when mature. The cup in which the acorn sits is hemispherical, woody and covered with triangular scales.

Oak wood - characteristics and properties

In cross-section through the trunk of the oak, the annual rings and the sapwood and heartwood areas are clearly distinguishable. Heartwood is light to medium greyish brown with some green iridescence. It sometimes has other colourings making it a highly prized wood. The sapwood colour is almost white to very light brown and is clearly demarcated from the heartwood.

The pores are very distinct and round. In early wood they are larger and rarer, and in late wood more and though. The pattern formed by the pores, especially in the tangential cut, is characteristic and is a recognisable feature of oak. The medullary rays are large, visible, ribbon-like, mirror-like patterns on the surface of the wood. The grain has a rough, rough appearance and can sometimes be irregular or twisted due to growing conditions.

Oak is a dense and hard wood with an anhydrous density of 675 kg/m³ and Janka hardness of 4980 N. It tends to crack when dry. Natural drying can take 10-12 years. It is highly resistant to rotting and is used for boat building, house building and exterior projects. Works well both manually and mechanically. Because of its high tannin content it reacts with iron, especially when wet, resulting in staining or discoloration. It lends itself well to steam bending and turning. It glues and finishes without problems.

Uses of oak wood

Furniture, flooring, beams, boats, barrels, veneer are made from oak. It is used in construction, interior decoration and outdoor landscaping. It has always been considered an important species, with a special appearance, used in the past for ceiling panelling, wall cladding and for carved furniture in castles and palaces. The corbels were also made of oak.

Today it is used in both construction and furniture making. In construction it is used as a load-bearing structure for houses or to decorate rustic-looking houses with beams and posts. Oak is used to make strong and attractive doors and windows. Despite its rough appearance and the impression that it can only be used for rustic furniture, it is also successfully used to make modern furniture. It is perfect for living room furniture as well as kitchen furniture. It is used for making chairs and tables. Lately, tables with a felie tree trunk, with finish as inconspicuous as possibleare very fashionable.

The pore pattern allows for very interesting finishes. The pores can be marked with patinas or special baths, highlighting the natural design. The natural look is achieved with wax or finished with oil. The content of tannins and salts in the pores can sometimes influence colouring. Therefore, in order not to alter the appearance of more special finishes, it is recommended to use a first coat of insulator.

One treatment that gives oak a special appearance is sandblasting. It can be done both mechanically and chemically. After sandblasting the wood takes on a much appreciated old-fashioned, chopped 3D look.

European oak is a highly valued raw material for obtaining barrels wine, but also whisky. The technologies are complex, and the flavour obtained by surface burning the wood is special.

I hope you find the above information useful. As usual, additions are welcome. And if you have any questions or queries, please leave them in the space below. I'm sure I'll reply.