Quercus – beech family

Oak wood is without a doubt one of the most valued building materials for production of furniture and floors. It owes this interest mainly to the hardness of the wood and its beautiful grain. Also significant
is its relative ease of availability in our climate – oak is found mainly in temperate regions of the northern hemisphere. 

Around 200 species of this tree are known, among which are varieties commonly found in Poland: English Oak, Durmast Oak and Red Oak.  

Besides the oak wood itself, the bark is also used – due to its high tannin content, it is successfully used by tanneries for treating leather.


Curiosities

• The oldest Durmast oak in Poland is located in Turów (Opolski Province) and has been growing for 369 years.
• Oak has always been regarded as a symbol of strength and durability – worshipped by ancient Romans and Greeks, who believed that it was the residence of Jupiter/Zeus himself.
  In turn, in the beliefs of Germanic peoples, oak was devoted to
  the god of storms.
• To this day, many people recognize mistletoe that grows specifically on oaks as a talisman.

Hardness on the Brinell scale: 36 MPa

Change in colour from exposure to sunlight: oak wood darkens, slowly reaching an intense yellow-brown colour.

Density: 670 kg/m³

Installation over floor heating: possible