An investigation into the properties and characteristics of our trees.
Elm
Workability: Difficult
Moisture content: Medium.
Durability: Slightly durable
Structural strengths: Hard and tough, strong and durable with a good ability to bend and good resistance to water.
Aesthetics: The heartwood is a dull brown colour, clearly defined when green from the lighter - coloured sapwood.
Density: Medium to good
Potential uses: Joinery – exterior such as handrails and bannisters, joinery – interior such as handrails and bannisters, architraves and shelving. Timber slats and purlins, furniture, flooring, beams and cladding.
Birch
Timber Properties: It can be planed and molded to create clean surfaces, it can be glued, stained and polished, it can also be turned on a lathe.
Environmental considerations: 300 insect species rely on the birch tree. Silver birch has been proven to improve the surrounding soil quality.
Timber Uses: Furniture and veneer’s.
Alder
Workability: Medium to good.
Moisture content: Small
Durability: Not durable
Structural strengths: Alder has excellent ability to withstand rot under water. Therefore, historically it has been used in the construction of boats, sluice gates and the buildings of Venice sit on alder piles.
Aesthetics: dull, light reddish-brown colour.
Density: Medium
Potential uses: Currently alder is used for veneers, pulp and plywood. Alder can be used for doors, flooring, cladding, purlins joinery – interior such as kitchen units, architraves, shelving and staircase treads.
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