French Oak in Santa Monica, California
Posted on
3/1/2022
French oak flooring coming from France is very in-demand timber and is popular because of the desirability which it owes to its reputation. French Oak grown in France is the best in the world.
French oak flooring coming from France is very in-demand timber and is popular because of the desirability which it owes to its reputation. French Oak grown in France is the best in the world.
Of the world's more than 430 species of oak, just 10 grow in France in significant numbers.
Of those, only two are considered prime: Quercus robur and Quercus petraea. Both species grow in the six main French forests valued for oak.
French Oak trees grow slowly, and the space between the growth rings is compact, producing a tighter, smoother grain. This produces the cathedral grain pattern in the centre of each plank and straight grain on the edges of the planks.
French Oak is also prized for its tannin content, which reacts beautifully to custom coloring producing colors that are sometimes not possible to achieve on American Oak.
France has a long and well-respected history of taking care of its forests, especially after World War II. The minimum size an oak must be before it is cut down is 25 inches in diameter.
French Oak from France is harvested and graded under strict guidelines, they have very clear grading rules, the log is cut into four sections for the optimal usage of the log:
A-section-- is the base of the tree and is utilized for barrels
B & C-section-- is the center of the tree used for joinery or flooring
D-section-- only utilized for exterior application, such as railway sleepers
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