About Oak

The two types of Oak most commonly found in the United Kingdom are Quercus Robur, the common Oak, also known as English or Pedunculate Oak, and Quercus Petraea, the Durmast or Sessile Oak. The branches of the Sessile Oak are straighter than those of the Common Oak and the main trunk is less branched. The Common Oak has stalked Acorns, whereas the Sessile Oak has no stalks.

The inherent beauty of Oak has been cited in poetry and prose for centuries and it maintains a special value at the heart of British culture. Its qualities go far beyond the simply practical. Favoured through the ages for basic purposes such as roof supports, or by shipbuilders and cabinetmakers, the use of oak for shelter, security and elaborate décor has become a cherished tradition.

Oak is an exceptional material for building purposes. A sturdy Oak framed construction will withstand all sorts of extreme weather conditions. An Oak beam can be regarded just as sturdy and dependable as any steel joist, it is durable and practical and uniquely, its beauty increases with age. Also, not only is an oak framed building more lightweight than its masonary contemporary but it can be fabricated completely off site and erected in a matter of days. The attraction of constructing any building from a sustainable resource is obvious, but the timber frame option can be cheaper and is certainly more aesthetically pleasing. Britain's native Oak evokes a feeling of security, national pride and longevity and in fact, currently over 70 per cent of new homes in Scotland are built using this system