Description
Common hardwood trees of the family Fagaceae and genus Quercus that are widespread throughout the northern temperate zones. Oaks produce a durable wood that has a distinctive coarse grain. Oak is used in cabinetry, flooring, paneling, musical instruments ship interiors and moldings. It was used for panel paintings in the Netherlands, England, Germany and northern France until the 18th century (Kuhn 1986). During the gothic period, oak was also used for sculptures in the northern parts of Germany, France and western Belgium (Kuhn, 1986), The thick bark from the cork oak tree (Quercus suber) is used for its buoyancy. Tannins and dyes can be extracted from the bark of oak trees.
See also black oak, blue oak, bog oak, cork oak, dyer's oak, English oak, live oak, northern red oak, pin oak, red oak, scarlet oak, shingle oak, Spanish oak, white oak.
Synonyms and Related Terms
Quercus; oake; eg (Dan.); Eichen (Deut.); roble (Esp.); chêne (Fr.); quercia (It.); eik (Ned., Nor.); carvalho roble (Port.); Ekar (Sven.)
Hazards and Safety
Oak emits organic acids as it ages.
Additional Information
H.Kuhn, Conservation and Restoration of Works of Art and Antiquities, Butterworths, London, 1986.
Schoch, W., Heller, I., Schweingruber, F.H., Kienast, F., 2004:
Wood anatomy of central European Species: Pedunculate Oak,
Quercus robur L.
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Last updated on: 8/9/2009 12:03:16 PM
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