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Over . 30 Species of
Page 115
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English Corn mercial Timber
WE have lately been so busy trying to sell the timber of our cousins in other parts of the Empire, that our own English woods have been almost e,ntirely forgotten. The lamentable fact is that few people outside a timber yard know anything about wood, and many wood users could not tell you whether they were working English, Empire, or foreign timber.
The general impression is that all timber of any use must come from overseas and that there is an insufficient variety of English material to meet the many purposes for which wood is required. A greater fallacy never existed.
No doubt it will surprise many readers to learn that there are well over 30 distinct species of commercial timber growing in England, apart from numerous other kinds of tree reared solely for ornamental purposes, and amongst the commercial timbers are some of the world's finest woods for motor-body building.
Here are a few English commercial woods, with brief particulars concerning their characteristics:— Acacia, apple, ash, beech, birch, cedar, cherry, elm, hornbeam, holly, horse chestnut, larch,. lime tree, maple, oak, pear, plane, poplar, Spanish (or sweet) chestnut, sycamore, and walnut.
A Pair of "World Beaters."
In English oak and ash we have
two "world beaters." These two woods, for motor-body, building, are universally acknowledged to be second to no other of their kinds.
One need hardly gay that oak is our most important timber. It has been used for structural purposes from time immemorial and possesses so many distinct characteristics that it is familiarly recognized by us all, whether or -not we have any knowledge of timber.
For any purpose where strength and durability are the prime factors, English oak stands pre-eminent, surpassing all foreign oaks in these qualities. En passant, it is not everybody who knows that oak of any kind should not be used in direct contact with iron, for this wood con tains a great amount of acid, which will quickly corrode the metal.
Ash is our second most important wood, and our native timber is of world-wide renown for its strength and toughness. Although not so durable as joak, its resilient and elastic qualities make it useful for purposes for which no other wood is suitable.
It will stand great bearing stress, being stronger than oak in this respect, and for framework, especially of passenger vehicles which have frequently to stop and start, English ash has no equal.
American ash looks cleaner and more attractive in the plank, but, to use the vernacular of the timber yard, "it hasn't the guts" of the English wood. .
Ash and Oak Strengths Compared.
The bearing strength of ash as compared with oak may be of interest. The following are the Admiralty tests on scantlings measuring 2 ins. by 2 ins., placed on bearers 6 ft. apart :—The ash broke with 862 lb. and the oak with 837 lb. The deflection at the crisis of break ing was :—Ash, 8 625-1,000 ; oak, 7 354-1.000 ins. Thus it will be seen that ash is stronger and more elastic than oak.
Elm is one of the cheapest hardwoods and is to be had in abundance. It must not be used until thoroughly dry, as, in drying, it shrinks and warps more than any other wood. However, English elm, unlike other elms, will dry without cracking—a big advantage. When thoroughly seasoned, it is most durable under wet or dry conditions.
For vehicles carrying wet merchandise elm is an extremely economical wood, as it seldom gives trouble after fixing. It never splits, it does not impart a taste, and will stand any amount of hard wear, retaining indefinitely its strength and appearance. Had this wood a highsounding name and was scarce, its beautiful figure and colbur, would make it much sought after as a decorative wood.
Sweet chestnut (called Spanish chestnut) may be described as the poor relation of the proud oak, for which it is often substituted, and, unless one is expert, it is difficult to identify it from oak. Although of the same colour, it lacks the silver rays that make oak so beautiful when quarter-sawn. Sweet chestnut is difficult to obtain in perfectly sound wide boards, and that is its only drawback. It is extremely durable and is cheaper than oak.
Beech is one of the big four English indigenous timbers, ranking with oak, ash and elm. The wood is hard, moderately heavy and of a silky texture, with a close, line grain, enabling it to take a good finish. In colour it varies from red and yellow to white, the red class being the better.
Beech must be used in permanent wet or dry conditions. If used in alternate wet and dry situations it will quickly decay. As one of our oldest timbers, its uses are legion, and, being a "clean "wood—imparttug no smell or taste—it is ideal for vehicles carrying food.
Sycamore is an English wood for which there is no substitute the world over. For the interior fitting of food vehicles it has no equal. It has a lustrous milk-white surface and it is immune from attack by worm.
An Outstanding Softwood.
Larch is our most important softwood and is said to be the most durable of all softwoods, English or foreign. No matter whether used under wet, dry, hot or cold conditions, this material remains unaffected. It has been used for boatbuilding and vehicle construction throughout the ages. Freer from knots than ordinary spruce, it finds great favour amongst 'rural carpenters for floorboards and for general use.
It is true that English timber is sometimes difficult to obtain in convenient sizes and in a seasoned condition, but by using it whenever possible body builders will have the satisfaction of knowing flint they are helping to decrease unemployment in this country. Surely that is worth a little extra trouble?