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Fagus sylvatica
DESCRIPTION:
The wood of the European Beech is used in the manufacture of numerous objects and implements. Its fine and short grain makes
it an easy wood to work with, easy to soak, dye (except its heartwood), varnish and glue. Steaming makes the wood even easier
to machine. It has an excellent finish and is resistant to compression and splitting. Milling is sometimes difficult due to
cracking and it is stiff when flexed. It is particularly well suited for minor carpentry, particularly furniture. From chairs
to parquetry (flooring) and staircases, the European Beech can do almost anything other than heavy structural support, so long
as it is not left outdoors. Its hardness make it ideal for making wooden mallets and workbench tops. The wood of the European Beech
rots easily if it is not protected by a tar based on a distillate of its own bark (as used in railway sleepers). It is better for
paper pulp than many other broadleaved trees though is only sometimes used for this. |
