World of Wood

The Wonderful World of Wood:

European Beech:

• "Fagus sylvatica"

Other names:

• English.
• Danish.
• French beech etc.

Sources:

• Europe.

Tree Characteristics:

• A large important timber producing tree, some 150ft in height, with a straight clear trunk about 4ft in diameter.

Characteristics of the wood:

• A straight grained wood, with fine even texture.
• Freshly cut it is whitish brown, turning yellowish brown on exposure.
• "Steamed beech" (wood that has been steam treated as part of the seasoning process) turns reddish brown.
• It is a strong wood, with excellent steam bending properties,and is tougher than oak when seasoned.
• Beech is perishable but can be preservative treated.

Workability:

• The ease of working depends on the quality of the wood and how well it is seasoned.
• It workes readily with hand and machine tools, and can be brought to a fine finish.
• It glues well.

Average dried weight:

• 45lb/cuft.

Finishing:

• It stains well and can be polished to a fine finish with the usual range of materials.

Common uses:

• Cabinet making.
• Bentwood furniture.
• Interior joinery.
• Veneer.
• Turner.
• Plywood.