Oak
Oak has a familiar and classic finish that fits well in a traditional or contemporary setting. The grain is typically pale brown in colour and often contains a secondary pattern of distinct growth rings and broad rays which adds to its attraction.
Maple
Hard, heavy straight grained wood with fine texture. White sapwood with light reddish brown heartwood that can produce a subtle grain with a striking finish.
Elm
Elm is a textured wood with a light brown coloured heartwood and distinct irregular growth rings. These combine to give it an attractive warm appearance.
In Greek mythology the hero Orpheus, having rescued his beloved wife Eurydice from the Underworld by enchanting everyone there with his harp music, paused to play her a love song at which spot the first elm grove was said to have sprung up.
With the decimation of Elm in the UK by dutch elm disease over recent years we need the help of Orpheus once more.
Burr Elm
Mature elm trees can often exhibit burrs on the trunk and large branches. These abnormal growths in the tree’s cambium layer bring a wonderfully spotty and swirling character to the wood grain that is much admired. These provide it with its Burr Elm classification.
Wych Elm
Within the same family, Wych Elm shows all the attributes of Elm or indeed Burr Elm, but often also shows distinctive tinges of green within its warm brown hues. It's these green swirling streaks that create a further dimension to this group of popular woods.
Burr Poplar
A light, white and bright wood with a subtle grain that looks particularly distinctive when in combination with contrasting dark spotty burrs.
Yew
Yew is a tough and hard softwood with an orange-red heartwood and a distinct light coloured sapwood. Its growth pattern reflects significant twists and turns that can also lead to fissures or rifts which add to its character. Often typified by a plethora of colours and irregularities which make it particularly decorative.
Whichever Wood you choose ...
As with many natural products, wood can move as temperature and atmospheric conditions vary. You don't have to look far to see everyday examples, as these pictures show. Tap on the boat hull to enlarge it and check those gaps between the boards after its lengthy time in dry dock !
While we do take considerable care to ensure all our wood is fully seasoned and dried to minimise these effects, its important to realise that there can still be some natural settlement when siting wooden products in a new environment. This property is an inherent part of the nature of wood and often adds to a piece's individuality, character and beauty.
