Quercus robur
The default European hardwood for furniture, joinery and architectural slabs. Open grain, calm colour, predictable behaviour at the bench.


Tree
Quercus robur grows across Europe, from Iberia to the Urals, and most slab-grade stock comes from managed FSC or PEFC forests in France, Germany, Poland and the Balkans. Supply is broad and EUDR documentation is well-established.
Wood appearance
Pale tan to mid-brown heartwood, often with an olive cast, sitting against narrow cream sapwood. Grain is straight and the texture is coarse, with large open pores in the earlywood. Quartersawn faces show pronounced ray fleck — silvery, ribbon-like figure that is a signature of the species and of Mission and Arts and Crafts work.

Mechanical properties
| Density (kg/m³) | 600–720 kg/m³ |
|---|---|
| Janka hardness (N) | 4,500–5,500 N |
| MOR: modulus of rupture (MPa) | 95–110 MPa |
| MOE: modulus of elasticity (GPa) | 10.5–12.5 GPa |
| Radial shrinkage | 4.4–5.0 % |
| Tangential shrinkage | 7.8–9.0 % |
| Volumetric shrinkage | 12.5–13.5 % |
| Natural durability (EN 350) | Class 2 — Durable |
Working with it
1 = difficult · 5 = excellent
Works predictably with sharp tooling. Saws and sands well; planing can tear out around rays and interlocked patches, so take light cuts and back off the cutter angle on figured stock. Glues and screws hold reliably, though pre-drilling is sensible near ends. Steam-bends well, which is why it has been a chair and boat-frame timber for centuries.
Drying
Dries slowly and is prone to checking, honeycomb and ring shake if pushed. Tangential movement is roughly twice radial, so quartersawn boards stay flatter in service. Acclimatise slabs to workshop humidity for two to four weeks before flattening, and expect seasonal movement in wide tops — design with breadboard ends, slotted fasteners or floating mounts.
Finishing
Takes oil, wax, lacquer and water-based finishes cleanly. Hardwax oils sit particularly well on the open pores and keep the surface repairable. Oak reacts strongly to ammonia fuming, which drives tannins to deep chocolate browns without pigment, and to iron-vinegar ebonising for near-black tones. Fill the grain if you want a glass-flat film finish; leave it open for a tactile, matte surface.
Durability and safety
Oak dust is classified by IARC as a Group 1 carcinogen (hardwood dust), so extraction at source, a P3 / FFP3 mask and good shop hygiene are non-negotiable. The high tannin content reacts with ferrous metals and water to leave blue-black stains — use stainless or brass fixings on exterior or damp work, and keep steel wool away from raw oak.
Best uses
Pairs and substitutes
Often substituted for
Sourcing and sustainability
Native to Europe and harvested under EU forestry regulation, with FSC and PEFC chains widely available. EN 350 rates the heartwood Class 2 — durable — thanks to tyloses that block the vessels and slow moisture ingress; sapwood is not durable and should be excluded from exterior work. IUCN Least Concern, no CITES listing. Food-contact safe and the classic stave-wood for wine, whisky and cognac casks.
Buyer questions
European Oak is best matched to projects such as Dining and conference tables, Kitchen worktops and islands, Cabinetry, shelving and built-ins, Flooring and stair treads, Interior joinery and panelling, Chairs and steam-bent components, Casks, cooperage and food-contact pieces. The final choice should consider grain, finish, movement allowance, and the room where the piece will live.
The listed Janka value is 4,980 N and the density is 675 kg/m³. Use these as comparison signals, not as a guarantee of how a finished surface will wear.
Check measured length, width stations, thickness, drying method, moisture notes, colour variation, defects, and origin. Compare the measured outline against the finished drawing before reserving the slab.
Current stock
We email you when fresh European Oak slabs land at KORENA. Each piece is one of one, so early notice matters.
Sources