Why Oak Is Perfect For Furniture
The noble Oak tree has to be the source of some of the best-loved furniture. It's easy to see why. It has a historical precedence spanning centuries. It's one of our oldest and most dearly loved species. It's a survivor. "When the oak is felled the whole forest echoes with its fall, but a hundred acorns are sown on the breeze" (Thomas Carlyle - Scottish Historian).
The Oak, has indeed spawned around 600 species on earth, from tropical Asia to the Americas. We love it in the furniture industry for its high density and great strength and hardness. It has very attractive grain markings that have endeared the wood to fine furniture manufacture, as well as architectural features such as beams and wall panelling. It's an incredibly versatile wood.
In the earliest days, it was used for constructing naval man-of-war ships. It's been used for timber framed buildings, flooring and veneer production as well as furniture. Red wines, sherry, brandy and whiskey all benefit from being aged in oak barrels. Sometimes they're charred before use, which adds a unique colour, taste and aroma to the contents. Oak wood chips are also used for smoking fish, meat and cheeses. There's even a Cork Oak in Mediterranean areas that's used for bottle stoppers. The bark of the White Oak is dried and used for medical preparations. The bark is also rich in tannin, and is used for tanning leather. Its uses are endless. Druids' wands were said to be made of wood from Oak trees that had been struck by lightning, in the belief that lightning wouldn't strike twice in the same place. They were used as talismans of protection.
But, believe it or not, Oak trees also suffer from stress - drought, flooding and harmful chemicals in the soil or air, have all played their part. According to the Forestry Commission, a stressed tree is more likely to suffer fungal infection and be vulnerable to predators such as insects. We're being encouraged to look after veteran trees to help the problem. The most notable example of this is the major Oak in Sherwood Forest, these days rather sadly, held up with chains and a fence around it to stop all human contact.
They say that sitting with an Oak tree will soothe the nervous system and help you solve problems. It brings deep calm and the will to survive. You will gain strength and spiritual renewal. If you're not particularly amenable to the Druid persuasion though, you could always invest in some very comfortable Oak furniture. It has a very similar effect apparently.
About the Author
Richard Johnson - offering an extensive range of furniture, from bedsides to display cabinets and everything in between. http://www.furniturestyleonline.co.uk/Oak-Furniture.html
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