World of Wood

The Wonderful World of Wood:

European Redwood:

• "Pinus sylvestris"

Other names:

• Scots pine.
• Scandinavian redwood.
• Russian redwood.

Sources:

• Europe
• Northern Asia.

Tree Characteristics:

• A medium size tree, up to 100ft in height and 3ft in diameter.
• An important timber poducing tree, it is conical in shape when young but becomes flat topped with age.

Characteristics of the wood:

• A light coloured resinous wood, with yellow brown to reddish brown heartwood (from which it gets it name) and light white yellow sapwood.
• Distinct figure, with light early wood and reddish late wood.
• It is stable in use and is a strong softwood, but not durable unless treated.
• Its light colour mellows with age.

Workability:

• Workes well with hand and machine tools, but the presence of knots and resin can cause cutting and finishing problems.
• It glues well.

Average dried weight:

• 32lb/cuft

Finishing:

• Stains satisfactorily, but the late wood can be more resistant and resinous pieces can be a problem.
• It accepts paint and varnish well, and can be brought to a good finish with polish.

Common uses:

• Building construction.
• Interior joinery.
• Furniture(selected knot free timber).
• Turnery.
• Plywood.