Oak — Identification, Uses and Properties
Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl. Fagaceae
Sawn timber appearance grading According to French standard NF EN 975-1 (April 2009) Possible grading for boules: Q-BA, Q-B1, Q-B2, Q-B3 Possible grading for selected boards: Q-SA, Q-S1, Q-S2, Q-S3 Possible grading for strips and square edged timber (sapwood excluded): Q-FA, Q-F1a, Q-F1b, Q-F2, Q-F3 (for strips and square- edged timber, x or xx suffixes indicate the presence and size of sound sapwood) Possible grading for baulks: Q-PA, Q-P1, Q-P2 Visual structure grading According to European standard EN 1912 (2012) and associated national standards (see explanatory note), strength class D30 can be provided by visual grading. Strength classes D18, D24 and D30, however, can be provided by visual grading according to French standard NF B 52-001-1/A3 (2011).
Risk of tannin smudges on woods if not well dried or if processed in a non-protected
HARDWOOD EUROPE TURNED GOODS
Taxonomy & Nomenclature
Botanical Name(s)
Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl., Quercus robur L.
Family
Fagaceae
Wood type
Hardwood
Local Names
Eiche (Germany), Roble (Spain), Chêne, Chêne blanc européen (France), Quercia (Italy), Oak (United Kingdom)
Origin Region
Europe
Main End Uses
Turned goods · Coffins · Heavy carpentry · Cabinetry (high-end furniture) · Stairs (inside) · Exterior joinery · Interior joinery · Moulding · Flooring · Sliced veneer · Seats · Marquetry · Cooperage · Hydraulic works (fresh water) · Sleepers
Wood Identification Guide
Reference Colour
Light brown
Texture
Medium
Grain
Straight
Sapwood
Clearly demarcated
Interlocked Grain
Absent
Notes
Light brown wood to straw colour turning darker with light. The texture is “medium” but can be “fine” or “coarse” depending on origin. The pearly white silver figure is large and clearly visible.
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Log Description
Tree height
80 – 115 ft
Tree height
24 – 35 m
Diameter
40 to 80 cm cm
Sapwood Thickness
1 to 4 cm cm
Buoyancy
Not applicable
Log Conservation
Moderate (treatment recommended)
Diameter
15.7 to 31.5 in in
Sapwood Thickness
0.4 to 1.6 in in
Physical & Mechanical Properties
Density
0.74 g/cm³ @ 12% MC
Density
46.2 lb/ft³
Monnin Hardness
4.2
Janka Hardness
1,260 lbf
Janka Hardness
5,605 N
Volumetric Shrinkage Coefficient
0.44 % / %
Tangential Shrinkage
9.7 %
Radial Shrinkage
4.5 %
T/R Anisotropy Ratio
2.2
Fibre Saturation Point
31 %
Thermal Conductivity
0.24 W/m·K
Thermal Conductivity
0.139 BTU/(h·ft·°F)
Lower Heating Value
18,390 MJ/kg
Lower Heating Value
7,906 BTU/lb
Crushing Strength
58 MPa
Crushing Strength
8,412 psi
Bending Strength (MOR)
105 MPa
Bending Strength (MOR)
15,229 psi
Modulus of Elasticity (MOE)
13,300 MPa
Modulus of Elasticity (MOE)
1,929,002 psi
Durability & Treatment
Resistance to Decay
Class 2-4 - durable to poorly durableDry Wood Borers
Class D - durable (sapwood demarcated, risk limited to sapwood) Cross sections of Quercus roburTermites
Class M - moderately durableTreatability
Class 4 – non-treatableUse Class
Class 3 - not in ground contact, outsidePreservation Requirements
Against Dry Wood Borers
This wood does not require any preservation treatmentTemporary Humidification
This wood does not require any preservation treatmentNotes
This species is listed in the NF EN 350 standard. Durability is linked to the presence of water soluble tannins. It decreases with the washing of tannins in cases of exposure to harsh conditions. According to the European standard NF EN 335 of May 2013, performance length might be modified by conditions in which it is used.Drying Schedule & Risks
Drying Rate
Slow
Risk Distortion
High risk
Risk Case Hardening
No known specific risk
Risk Checking
High risk
Risk Collapse
Yes
Suggested Schedule
Schedule #7 (see explanatory note)
Sawing & Machining
Blunting Effect
Normal
Tooth For Sawing
Stellite-tipped
Machining Tools
Tungsten carbide
Suitability Peeling
Good
Suitability Slicing
Good
Notes
Slicing after steaming.Assembling & Finishing
Nailing Screwing
Good but pre-boring necessary
Fire Safety & Ratings
French Grading Thick Gt14mm
M3 (moderately flammable) Thickness < 14 mm: M4 (readily flammable) Euroclass grading. D-s2, d0 Default grading for solid wood that meets requirements of European standard NF EN 14081-1 (April 2016): structural graded timber in vertical uses and ceilings with minimal mean density of 0.35 and minimal thickness of 22 mm.
French Grading Thick Lt14mm
M4 (readily flammable) Euroclass grading. D-s2, d0 Default grading for solid wood that meets requirements of European standard NF EN 14081-1 (April 2016): structural graded timber in vertical uses and ceilings with minimal mean density of 0.35 and minimal thickness of 22 mm.
Euroclass
D-s2, d0 Default grading for solid wood that meets requirements of European standard NF EN 14081-1 (April 2016): structural graded timber in vertical uses and ceilings with minimal mean density of 0.35 and minimal thickness of 22 mm.
CITES & Trade Restrictions
CITES Status
No trade restrictions
Trade Notes
Oak trees are the dominant broad-leaved species of
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