Species of Timbers 49 



The colour is white when freshly cut ; but on exposure to 

 the atmosphere, it assumes a deeper colour of a reddish hue. 

 It is soft, light, easily worked, and very durable when completely 

 submerged, but when subjected to conditions under which it is 

 alternately wet and dry, it quickly decays. 



Its principal uses are : — Clogs (birch is more durable) ; cigar- 

 boxes ; bobbins, etc. ; charcoal for gunpowder. The main supply is 

 from Northern Germany. 



ASH. The timber is light in colour, with a large breadth of sap- 

 wood. As a rule, there is only a slight difference in colour between 

 the sap-wood and the heart-wood. The annual rings are distinct. 



The timber is used for all purposes which require elasticity and 

 strength. It is imperative, however, that the logs should undergo 

 rough conversion as soon as possible after felling ; otherwise (accord- 

 ing to Laslett) shakes^ and cracks appear which involve much loss. 

 Trees of medium age are preferred to older specimens, as the wood 

 of the latter is inclined to be brittle. 



Coppice shoots are used for hop poles, hurdles, implement 

 handles, whip handles, etc. The larger timber is useful for coach- 

 building, furniture, oars, etc., and in aeroplane construction. 



BEECH. The timber is of much the same colour throughout; 

 where the older rings are darker in colour, it is usually a sign 

 of incipient decay. The medullary rays appear to be broad, but 

 in reality they are compound, being composed of several finer rays 

 placed close together ; a distinguishing feature is the satin-like 

 appearance of these rays. The colour is variable, a reddish tinge 

 being present on beech grown on good soil. This wood is largely 

 employed for chair-making in Buckinghamshire, in which county 

 large beech woods exist. On the Continent, it is largely employed 

 as fuel. 



Its principal uses are: — Furniture, tool handles, wooden screws, 

 turnery, shoe lasts, agricultural implements, and charcoal. 



1 Shake is the term applied to cracks in the trunk, which entail waste in 

 conversion. They may run from the pith outward when the term " star " shake is 

 used, or as in the case of a "ring" shake a separation of the annual rings takes 

 place. 



