40 TIMBEE 



Much literature has been written as to the superior 

 qualifications of the timber of the common or old English 

 oak over that of the sessile oak, and as to the durmast 

 not being so good as either, but the fact that the timber 

 of those of the first two species at any rate was used 

 indiscriminately for the best work shows that there is 

 practically no difference between them ; what difference 

 there may be is due more to the various localities and soils 

 in which the timber grows than to any inherent difference 

 in the timber; in fact much of the oak taken from old 

 buildings, and much prized, appears to have been the wood 

 of Q. sessiliflora ; even the wood of the durmast oak, 

 though of more open texture when young, shows very 

 little difference from the other varieties when the timber 

 has reached maturity. Few could tell the difference 

 between the timber of the first two named, though the 

 wood of the common oak, which is usually spoken of as the 

 best, is of rather lighter colour than that of the sessile or 

 bay oak ; the medullary rays in the latter are very straight, 

 distinct, and far apart, in the common oak they are rather 

 closer, not so straight, and finer. The timber of these oaks 

 is straight grained, fairly free from knots, has good silver 

 grain, is easily worked, and is well suited for ornamental 

 work, as well as for joists, rafters, or wherever stiffness and 

 accuracy of form are required ; it splits well and makes 

 good laths, is strong, hard, and tough, warps a good deal 

 in seasoning, and takes a long time to season, hence it 

 sometimes continues to alter its shape after being put into 

 buildings ; it is very elastic and easily bent to curves when 

 steamed, and stands changes of temperature better than 

 most timber. Oak contains gallic acid, which corrodes iron 

 fastenings, hence all bolts used in it should be galvanised ; 

 young oak is more cross grained and harder to work than 

 old oak. As to its durability, one has only to look at 



