British Oak (quercus robur) is the heaviest and strongest of the world’s
oaks, weighing from 45-52lb per cubic ft. Britain has millennia of
tradition in using oak, indeed, out of oak’s inherent strength,
which enabled the British Navy to sail line of battle ships that dominated
the globe for nearly two centuries, was born the British Empire. Beautiful
to work and exquisite to behold a finely grained piece of British
Oak is, in our opinion, the finest wood available.
Oak has traditionally been used for high class furniture and fittings,
building, construction, sailing ships and boats as well as agricultural
items such as gates and wheel spokes etc.
Green Oak is unseasoned oak. Oak is said to be “green”
for typically up to five years after felling. Green oak has high moisture
content and as a consequence will be even heavier than when seasoned.
As it slowly dries out, on average an inch per thickness per year
depending upon ambient conditions, the oak will gently crack and move
as it gets harder and stronger. This amazingly strong wood gets yet
stronger as it shrinks and moves to its final form. Taking on an added
beauty over the years green oak has been used for millennia to build
the largest of structures, many of which are still standing after
centuries.