European beech

European beech Fagus sylvatica

Description

A large, deciduous tree, Fagus sylvatica, native to northern Europe. Beech trees have a smooth gray bark and a hard, heavy wood. European beech trees are often grown in large hedgerows. The reddish-brown, close-grain beechwood bends well and gives a smooth shiny finish. Beech is a commonly used timber for flooring, cabinetry, furniture, veneer, tool handles, and turnery. It was occasionally used in panel paintings in western Europe.

Synonyms and Related Terms

Fagus sylvatica; Almindelig Bøg (Dan.); Rotbuche (Deut.); haya (Esp.); hêtre (Fr.); beuk (Ned.); Buk zwyczajny (Pol.); Bok (Sven.); faia (Port.); faggio (It.); beechwood; common beech

European beech Fagus sylvatica

Other Properties

Large trees growing to 35 m. Bark=smooth, gray. Leaves=simple with veins and toothed edges. Fruit=Large husk containing 2 shiny brown edible nuts.

Wood is acidic. Color: Pinkish brown with dark brown rays. Rings: obscure. Pores: diffuse, fine. Grain: faint. Rays: distinct. Hard, strong and heavy. Specific gravity = 0.7-0.9

Density	45-55 ppcf

Hazards and Safety

Skin contact and dust inhalation may cause irritation and allergies. Highly acidic. May evolve volatile organic acids.

Additional Information

º Schoch, W., Heller, I., Schweingruber, F.H., Kienast, F., 2004: Wood anatomy of central European Species: Beech, Fagus sylvatica L.

Additional Images

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  Beech (Fagus sylvatica)

Authority

• Website address 1 Comment: Virginia Tech Dendrology website at www.fw.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/main.htm (accessed Oct. 8, 2005)

• Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, at http://www.wikipedia.com Comment: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Beech (Accessed Oct. 8, 2005)

• F. H. Titmuss, Commercial Timbers of the World, The Technical Press Ltd., London, 1965

• G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 93

• Hermann Kuhn, Conservation and Restoration of Works of Art and Antiquities, Butterworths, London, 1986

• Caring for your Collections, Arthur W Schulz (ed.), Harry N. Abrams, Inc. , New York, 1992

• Michael McCann, Artist Beware, Watson-Guptill Publications, New York City, 1979

• George Savage, Art and Antique Restorer's Handbook, Rockliff Publishing Corp, London, 1954

• Pam Hatchfield, Pollutants in the Museum Environment, Archetype Press, London, 2002