Materials for Design

Oak (Quercus)

The coarse, open-grained and tan-coloured timber from the revered oak tree has more than 200 different species but perhaps even more rich, cultural associations. Its particular Englishness is captured in this quote by British furniture writer Aidan Walker:

‘There is no tree more closely associated with the history and patriotic fervour of a nation, no tree considered to have served a nation so well and so consistently as the oak for Britain’.

Unlike any other material family, only a wood can generate this level of affection. Like so many materials, its qualities have echoes in the English language – from the Latin name Quercus robur, we take the word robust – and as such oak is metaphorically and practically and strong material. ...