WWA Info Exchange

tms · Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2012 10:43 pm Post subject: English Brown Oak

English Brown Oak is a beautiful and exotic wood, but why don't you see it in lists, or books, of tree species?

If you must use the internet to find the answer, give a chance to those whom might know without it. Please refrain from posting an internet regurgitation for at least a couple of days.

Thanks,
Tom
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Rapid Roger · Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 10:08 am Post subject:

Well because most wood is brown anyway and it must be found in England and I live in the US thus, I've never heard of it.
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You knew you would get a smart @$$ answer from me didn't you?

Rog
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tools and beer, the rest I just wasted.

tms · Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 10:57 am Post subject:

Thanks for playing Rog, please feel free to try again. BSEG

Tom
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"There is no path to peace, peace is the path."
Mohandas K. Ghandi

John Boy · Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 12:08 pm Post subject:

I'm going to guess that it is because it is not a tree, but maybe a bush
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John

tms · Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 12:59 pm Post subject:

Hey John,

Nice guess, but wrong answer.
Thank you for playing, and please feel free to try again. BSEG

Tom
_________________
"There is no path to peace, peace is the path."
Mohandas K. Ghandi

DennisS · Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 2:25 pm Post subject:

I'm guessing it's because it's not an oak in the first place but another species (don't have a clue what it might be) that goes by English brown oak as a nickname. In the same manner chechen(sp), carribean rosewood, and poison wood are all the same. ??
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Cheers - Dennis

tms · Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 3:02 pm Post subject:

Hey Dennis,

Hey, another nice guess, but alas, also another wrong answer.
But thanks for playing, and feel free to try again. BSEG

Tom
_________________
"There is no path to peace, peace is the path."
Mohandas K. Ghandi

Gene · Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 4:11 pm Post subject:

Because it's not a separate species. It's a European oak that happens to grow in England under somewhat different conditions than the continent.
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Daddy Gloves · Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 4:16 pm Post subject:

I know what bog oak is this is not the same is it?
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Monte

tms · Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 4:46 pm Post subject:

Ooooh Gene,

You are very close, but not yet a complete answer.
But thanks for playing, and feel free to try again. BSEG

Tom
_________________
"There is no path to peace, peace is the path."
Mohandas K. Ghandi

tms · Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 4:48 pm Post subject:

Hey Monte,

Although it has some of the characteristics of bog oak, it is another product.
But thanks for playing, and please feel free to try again. BSEG

Tom
_________________
"There is no path to peace, peace is the path."
Mohandas K. Ghandi

Gene · Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 4:48 pm Post subject:

I know what you're looking for, but I'll wait to spill the beans. Wink

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DennisS · Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 7:16 pm Post subject:

tms · Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 9:07 pm Post subject:

Gene · Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2012 8:07 pm Post subject:

Waited long enough. The English Brown Oak is really any of the European oaks that has become infected by a fungus peculiar to the British Isles. A type of mushroom (fungus) that grows on the live tree stains the wood brown. I suppose it's partly because the climate is conducive to that particular fungus species.
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tms · Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2012 10:40 pm Post subject:

Hey Folks,

Yes we have a winner! Is it just a coincidence that Gene won during a Blue Moon?

He got it exactly right, English Brown Oak is any species of oak (usually white oak) infected with Fistulina hepatica a fungus that turns the wood of the living tree a distinctive brown color.

It's been credited that Gustav Stickley was trying to reproduce the color of English Brown Oak with his ammonia fuming technique. English Brown Oak is pleasantly worked with hand tools and has a lovely variegated color reminiscent of mineral streaks in other hardwoods. Unlike spalted wood, English Brown Oak is colored while the tree is still alive, much like the blue stain in pine trees on this continent. I sells for a premium price due to its high demand.

Here is a very good description of the product
http://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/articles/archives/WWP-wood-products-magazine/english_brown_oak_127693343.html

Two dessicated points awarded to Gene. One for getting the answer right, and one for waiting to let others try their hand. Well done Gene.

Tom
_________________
"There is no path to peace, peace is the path."
Mohandas K. Ghandi