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Some Interesting Stuff about Elm and Oak

ELM

Elm wood was valued for its interlocking grain, and consequent resistance to splitting, with significant uses in wheels, chair seats and coffins. The wood is also resistant to decay when permanently wet, and hollowed trunks were widely used as water pipes during the medieval period in Europe.

On a sunny day a large elm tree gives off vapour equal to 1,500 gallons of water.
In the gaelic alphabet a tree represents each of the 17 letters, starting with ailm, elm, and ending with ur, yew
16.4% of the land area of Scotland is woodland or forests.
Although most of Britain’s elms have been killed by Dutch Elm Disease, healthy populations still survive in northern parts of Scotland.
Five thousand years ago Scotland’s “Caledonian forest”, or natural forest, reached its maximum extent and probably covered over 80% of Scotland.
The largest tree discovered was a 50-foot wych elm in Cotherstone, County Durham, larger than the arm span of four adults.
There are three recognised species of elm in the UK
- Wych Elm (Ulmus glabra)
- Smooth-leaved Elm (Ulmus minor)
- English Elm (Ulmus procera):
The Wych Elm is the only species that occurs naturally in northern England and Scotland.
.A one-acre patch of elm trees produces oxygen, removes carbon from the atmosphere, and captures at least 16 tons of airborne dirt, which rain then washes back to the ground as productive soil.
Elm is one of many trees which inspire legends and lore. Romans are said to have dedicated the tree to the winged-foot god Mercury, while the ancient Greeks believed elms should be planted in tribute to heroes who died in battle.
In Norse Mythology
After Odin and his two brothers Ve and Vili had created the universe and the nine worlds, they walked on the beach where they came upon two logs of wood which were washed ashore. They picked the logs up and give them a humanoid shape. Odin breathed into them the spirit of live, Vili gave them sharp wits and feeling hearts; and Ve bestowed upon them the senses, expressive features and speech. Furthermore, the brothers provided them with names and clothes. The male they named Ask ("ash") and the female the named Embla ("elm"). Ask and Embla became the progenitors of the human race and Midgard was given to them as their residence.

OAK

Oak wood has great strength and hardness, and is very resistant to insect and fungal attack because of its high tannin content. It also has very attractive grain markings, particularly when quarter-sawn. Wide, quarter-sawn boards of oak have been prized since the Middle Ages for use in interior paneling of prestigious buildings such as the debating chamber of the British House of Commons in London, England, and in the construction of fine furniture. Oak wood, from Quercus robur and Quercus petraea, was used in Europe for the construction of ships until the 19th century, and was the principal timber used in the construction of European timber-framed buildings. Today oakwood is still commonly used for furniture making and flooring, timber frame buildings, and for veneer production. Barrels in which red wines, sherry, brandy and spirits such as Scotch whisky and Bourbon whiskey are aged are made from European and American oak.

From little Acorns, Tall Oaks grow
In a good year the oak tree will have many flowers -- up to several thousand. With the right humidity, the right temperature, no late frost in the spring, and sufficient rainfall in the summer, tiny scale-covered acorns (called nubbins at that point) begin to grow. They will mature to become full grown and ripe acorns by late summer. The chances of one acorn making it to become an oak tree are very slim -- less than 1/10,000. That means that for every 10,000 acorns, only one will become a tree!
The Norse God Thor and all thunder Gods are connected to the Oak, which is often struck by lightning. The force of the blast bursts the trunk apart, often leaving a hollow bole and gnarled and withered trunks. Here lies a warning about stubborn rigid strength which resists and breaks in the storm. Flexibility can be a strength in itself, which can balance the forcefullness of rigid thinking and actions. During the 7th lunar month the Druids carved a circle, divided into 4 equal parts, on the Oak for protection against lightning. This paractice is said to be found even today amongst some old foresters in Britain, who continue to carve this symbol onto the Oak to avert disaster for the tree. Similarly acorns were carved on bannisters and blind-pull bobbins to ward off lightning striking the house.
Wands were made from oakwood from trees which had been struck by lightning in the belief that lightning would not strike twice in the same place, and were used as talismans of protection. Very often, an acorn was carved at the end of a Druid's wand and oak leaves were worn or carried for protection, especially from disaster. A spray of oak leaves was carved on the old shilling and 6d coins, and many family crests and emblems carried the symbol of oak leaves, showing allegiance to the Oak tree and its magical properties.

As well as sawn hardwoods we also specialise in Oak and Elm Burrs,
to find out more about them, Click Here
   
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