Oak lexicon

What is the FSC® Label?

The FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council) is an independent, non-profit organization that sets global standards for responsible forest management. FSC-certified forests and wood products must meet strict ecological, social, and economic criteria based on the so-called Principles and Criteria of the FSC. For consumers and companies, the FSC label signifies that the wood used comes from sustainably managed forests and that full traceability along the supply chain is guaranteed.

What means flat cut, crown cut?

Oak sidewood from large logs. In this selection OAK flat cut/crwon cut we take only the side boards of a log. In this form there is no medullary rays shown. No straight grain. The edge of the tree shows a heava wane. The difficult part of drying the flat cut boards is the surface without cracks. A very carefully predrying under roof and the modern vaccumdrying allowes us a gently kiln-dried result. The oak sawn timber produced from the flat cut/crown cut OAK board shows the unique view. The finished piece of furniture, the high-quality floorboards, or the wall cladding in its perfect look.

What is Equilibrium Moisture Content?

Equilibrium moisture content (also known as EMC) refers to the moisture content of wood that stabilizes after a certain period under constant environmental conditions. In this state, the wood neither absorbs moisture from the air nor releases moisture to the air.

Definition and Functionality

A drying kiln is a closed, climate-regulated facility in which wood is dried by controlling temperature, humidity, and air circulation. The goal is to adjust the wood’s moisture content according to its intended use and to achieve a uniform moisture distribution throughout the entire cross-section.

The drying process is controlled through the interplay of various physical processes, including the evaporation of free water from the cell lumina, the movement of water through cell walls, and the gradual reduction of the wood's overall moisture content. Modern drying kilns are equipped with sensors that monitor temperature and humidity, allowing precise control over the drying process and helping to prevent damage to the wood.

What is compressive strength?

Compressive strength characterizes the ability of wood to withstand axial compressive loads without failing. It is an indicator of the load-bearing capacity of wooden components subjected to compressive stresses, such as columns, piles, and foundations.

What does cell collapse mean in wood?

Cell collapse describes a defect in wood processing in which the cells in the wood tissue irreversibly collapse during drying or under certain mechanical conditions. Wood affected by cell collapse can exhibit strong deformation, sometimes accompanied by broad, honeycomb-like internal cracks that render it largely unusable. This type of damage is often recognizable by irregularly sunken surfaces that can appear corrugated, along with significant distortions in the cross-section.

What is Butt-cut lumber?

Butt-cut lumber, or original log (equivalent to "whole log"), is a type of wood that retains its natural edge or bark (unsurfaced) after being sawn lengthwise from a tree trunk. This process preserves the original thickness and structure of the wood, even after storage, drying, and further processing.

What is Brinell Hardness?

Brinell hardness is a standardized method for measuring the hardness of materials such as metals, plastics, and wood. It indicates how resistant the material is to mechanical indentations and is commonly used in the metal industry and material testing. During the measurement, a steel ball with a specified diameter and constant force is pressed into the material. The resulting indentation is measured and used to calculate the hardness value, known as the Brinell hardness number (HBW), which is given in N/mm².

Definition of Bog Oak

Bog oak refers to subfossil oak wood (Quercus spp.) that has been preserved over centuries or millennia in bogs or swampy areas. During this time, the wood undergoes chemical transformations, primarily caused by the reaction of tannins in the wood with iron compounds from the bog water.

The result is a unique material characterized by a dark coloration, increased density, and enhanced hardness. Bog oak is not a separate type of wood but rather a condition of oak wood preserved under specific environmental conditions. It is highly valued in art, craftsmanship, and research due to its rarity and distinctive aesthetics.

What is bending strength?

Bending strength, also known as flexural strength, describes the ability of wood to resist bending stress without breaking. Bending strength is an important measure for the load-bearing capacity and stiffness of wooden components and is expressed in newtons per square millimeter (N/mm²).

What is acetylated wood?

Acetylated wood is wood that has undergone a chemical modification process using acetic anhydride to reduce its susceptibility to decay caused by wood-destroying fungi and insects, thereby significantly extending its service life in outdoor applications. Through this process, the molecular composition of the wood is permanently altered, resulting in improved physical and mechanical properties such as dimensional stability, increased density and hardness, and enhanced weather resistance. Since acetic anhydride and the acetic acid produced during the reaction are non-toxic, acetylated wood can be utilized and disposed of without restrictions.