European Oak in Marina Del Ray, CA
Posted on
7/14/2022
European White Oak (Quercus robur) is native to much of Europe including areas like France, Germany, Finland, Ukraine and Romania. Quercus is the Latin family name for all oaks; robur means robust and describes the strength of this species of timber.
European White Oak (Quercus robur) is native to much of Europe including areas like France, Germany, Finland, Ukraine and Romania. Quercus is the Latin family name for all oaks; robur means robust and describes the strength of this species of timber.
A temperate hardwood, it has deep roots and prefers heavy, wet soils and full sun at lower to moderate elevations. It grows to 65 - 130' in height with trunks that are generally 15 - 30" in diameter. European oaks generally grow quite quickly for the first 80 - 120 years. After that, their growth gradually slows down. Along the way, the tree matures from a slender sapling with smooth bark to a deeply fissured, rough-barked tree of remarkable girth. Decline begins setting in after around three centuries or so. This slow maturation creates a fine, tight grain revered for wine barrels and flooring. European White Oak is an especially heavy and sturdy timber. The fact that it is so hard makes a lovely and durable wood floor. It also doesn't expand or contract much in response to weather conditions. Since it has relatively thin sap wood (.4 - 1.5"), it produces especially long and wide boards.
This species of oak measures about 1360 on the Janka hardness rating which shows a timber's relative hardness when compared to other types of timber. European White Oak usually has a tighter grain, smaller growth rings, and more even color than American White Oak (Quercus alba). It ranges in color from light brown to a rich, dark brown. Probably most often, it's a warm honey color.
It responds particularly well to various finishing techniques, including fuming. Fuming is the process of exposing timber to ammonia gas in a sealed chamber. This process demands a timber, like European White Oak, that is high in tannins. Fumed European White Oak produces a rich, deep color comparable to walnut.
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