Wood of the Week – European Beech

What is European Beech?

Beech is a hardwood with short, fine grain that has a fine, uniform texture and moderate luster. It is a native species in Europe and can easily grow to 130 feet tall. Due to the extreme height of these trees, beech forests are very dark which inhibits the growth of other native trees. 

Widely used in Europe and North America, beech’s hardness, wear resistance, and low cost make this a staple for many woodworkers. The sapwood of beech is actually difficult to tell from the heartwood. Its color varies from whitish to pale brown and can even appear as a pink-brown. Because beech needs to be steamed before slicing in the veneer making process, it is typically darker and more golden in color than other forms beech of lumber. Flat sawn beech is known to be plain looking while quartersawn beech shows a silver fleck pattern.

Why choose Beech?

Beech is a widely available and relatively low cost hardwood and large, wide beech lumber is very common. The durability and versatility of Beech wood make it an ideal material for anything from chairs and furniture to staircases but is typically used with richer or more expensive woods. In such projects, it is often placed inconspicuously as table legs, drawer boxes, and sides or backs of cabinets.

european beech grain in woodworking

Because of its short grain, beech holds a stain well and is often stained to look more like a mahogany, maple, or cherry. It is often used in conjunction with more expensive woods and placed inconspicuously as table legs, drawer boxes, and sides or backs of cabinets.

European Beech in Woodworking

Beech is very popular in woodworking and has a good overall workability. It machines, glues, finishes, and turns well. Because it is so hard, it is difficult to hand tool and is typically machined. It is an excellent wood in steam bending, which allows us as woodworkers to manipulate the wood or create a specific shape that might be requested by the client.

Its main uses in woodworking are furniture, cabinets, boats, and even in pianos. Beech does, however have a tendency to move, so it is important to take movement and stability into account when crafting with it.

Like the look? Contact us today to get started on a custom woodworking project of your own using European Beech.