Jugastrum, one of the rare species of wood from which sapwood is mainly used

Jugast is not a wood of interest to the wood processing industry because there are not large quantities, it grows slowly and does not reach large sizes. It can, however, be appreciated by wood turners or carpenters looking to work with special or more unusual species, possibly where growing conditions have led to interesting defects such as corrugated grain. Jugastru is a species that also grows in Romania, in lowland and hill areas. It is used as an ornamental tree or shrub in the parks of European cities, being a very pollution-resistant species. Find out more about the natural range, the characteristics of the tree and the wood, as well as curiosities and old traditions related to the jugaster.

Jugastrum or field maple

Jugastrum is part of the genus Acer, just like maple, scientific name Acer campestre. In English literature you find it as field maple, common maple/elder, hedge maple or dog oakin the French one is country maple, and in the Italian one, field steel or opium.

Jugastrum grows naturally throughout most of Europe, southwest Asia and northern Africa. It is found from the Pyrenees to the Crimea, the Caucasus and the southern shores of the Caspian Sea and from England, Denmark, southern Scotland and Sweden to Sicily, Greece, Turkey and northern Africa. It does not form pure forests, being a subdominant species together with ulmul, oak tree, teepee and chestnut. It grows in deciduous forests, at altitudes up to 1000 m, rarely together with conifers.

The field maple is a medium-sized tree, usually reaching a height of 15 m (in exceptional cases 25 m), with a diameter of 60-70 cm, very rarely 1 m. It can grow both as a tree and as a shrub with many shoots and is very resistant to cutting. The trunk has light grey, slightly cracked and smooth bark when young and thickens, cracking and peeling into small plates as it ages. The crown forms quite low and is broad and domed. The leaves are palmate-lobed with 5 or 3 lobes, dark green on the front and lighter on the back. The flowers appear in April May, sometimes simultaneously with the leaves, are greenish-yellow, clustered together and produce lots of pollen. Fruits are green at first and turn reddish in autumn. They have two wings arranged at 180° and are easily spread by the wind.

The leaves of the yarrow turn golden yellow or reddish in autumn, remaining on the branches for a long time before falling off. It is therefore highly valued as a decorative tree. And because it is resistant to pollution, it is planted in European cities, parks and gardens as a boundary tree.

Structure and properties of wood

Jugastrum is one of the few deciduous species from which sapwood is more commonly used. It is whitish to light cream in colour, with reddish tinges sometimes and even golden-yellow. The difference between sapwood and heartwood is noticeable, with heartwood having a darker, reddish-brown colour.

The texture is fine and uniform, and the fibre generally straight. Sometimes growth defects cause the fibre to appear wavy or curly, which greatly increases its beauty and value. The pores are diffuse, fine, evenly and radially distributed, larger in early wood and smaller in late wood. It has narrow to medium medullary radii that give the wood a natural lustre. Unlike maple, however, they are narrower, making the wood less glossy. This is also one of the features that differentiates the two types of wood.

Jugast wood is hard and dense, with a dry density (12% moisture content) of 690 kg/m³. It is hard but not durable, being a wood with very low resistance to rot. If we consider that sapwood is used as wood, its perishability is easily explained, as sapwood is water-loving. It is machined and hand-worked quite easily, turned and carved well. If milled at high speeds, the fibre can burn. It sands and oils/glosses without problems, but there can be problems with staining. Due to high absorbency (all the bleaching is the cause) stains can occur. That is why it is recommended to apply a layer of insulator before the bath.

It tends to warp when drying and sometimes the colour can turn pink due to oxidation.

Uses of Jugastru wood

Wood is not used industrially. It is not a species harvested for forestry purposes, as the elements obtained from the trunk are quite small. It is, however, used in carpentry workshops for furniture, decorative objects and flooring. It is a good material for making bowls, pens and other turned objects. It is used to make harps or is cut into veneer and used to make violins. In fact, it is said that some of Antonio Stradivari's famous violins were made of minstrel wood.

It is very good as firewood, with a high calorific value.

Jugastrum has many uses, not just as wood. The bark has astringent effects, but can also be used as a treatment for eye pain, liver disease or cholesterol problems. It is a honey plant, but as there are no forests of jugaster, honey is rarely found only from its flowers, as in the case of linden. One of its most important uses is as a ground fixative. The roots of the jugastrum have the ability to fix sensitive soils by preventing soil erosion.

Curiosities

There are all sorts of traditions and beliefs in Europe related to the juggernaut. In Italy, for example, field maple and elm were used as vine supports, the so-called married vine (vite maritata). They were cultivated in rows and the vineyard leaned on them. It was thus raised from ground level and much more protected. Leaves and shoots were frequently cut and used as animal feed.

In Umbria, Italy, it is believed that jugaster branches protect the house from lightning and fire. In medieval England it was believed that jugaster branches protected children's souls from the forces of darkness, and Druids believed they could purify and regenerate their souls by lying under a field maple.

I hope you find the above information interesting. If you know any other interesting facts about the juggernaut or have worked with it, please share your experience with us. And if you have any questions or queries, leave them below in the space provided. I will certainly answer them.

cover photo: wood-database/com