FrenchTimber : Promotion of French timber species and wood products
The French wood industry is a leading player in European timber production. It has been managing its diversified forest for centuries, both ecologically and economically France’s forests are in constant expansion.
A huge variety of species in both hardwood and softwood has contributed to the exceptional worldwide reputation of French timber and wood products.
The FrenchTimber association was founded in 2001 at the initiative of the "Fédération Nationale du Bois". Strongly supported by the related timber industries throught France Bois Forêts, FrenchTimber is dedicated to:
● Promote the use of the sustainably produced timber and wood products on an international and national level.
● Facilitate the supply of timber to foreign companies by promoting the huge expertise and personalised service offered by the French timber industry.
The FrenchTimber association has been created as a tool to ease the supply of quality timber.
● FrenchTimber distributes technical and economical information to international purchasers (importers, wholesalers, manufacturers and decision makers).
● The French timber industry offers quality, expertise and the ability to adapt their production to specific demands.
● The French timber industry exercises the PEFC program of sustainable forest management, as proof of its commitment to the future.
French forest
Ressources
French forests increase their standing wood volume by 88 million m3 every year. Fifty percent of this volume is harvested annually.
The forest contains 128 different species (30 of which are commonly sawn). The total wood volume represents 2billion m3
Hardwoods account for two thirds of the total harvested forest surface.
Hardwood species
Mainly located on the plains of northern, eastern and central France as well as in the south west, hardwoods grow in tall forests, as coppice-with-standards or coppice.
Fourteen species account for a minimum of 50,000 ha, which is an indication of the extent of the biological diversity of French forests.
● An overview of sustainable forest management
In 1827 France set up a controlled forest management system. Drawing from experience, France initiated the PEFC certification scheme (Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes) which guarantees resource renewal.
During the last 50 years, French forests have increased by 35 % while at the same time maintaining their biological diversity.
PEFC guarantees the origin of the products offered.
Standing wood volume (millions of cubic meters)
Breakdown of the French har vested area
● Available in long length and large widths,
● Big dimension timber,
● A huge range of products,
● Sustainably managed forests.
● Standard dimensions using the European grading system,
● Timber sawn according to customer's specifications,
● Dried, planed, finger-jointed, edge glued, treated products...
● Expertise together with continually developed technology,
● Sales teams dedicated to international trade.
Hardwood sawn timber : products typology
All products can be dried, steamed and treated upon request.
Boules
• Long lengths (3m and up)
• Any diameter
• Large widths
• Any thickness
• Mixed grades
• Uniform color and features
Selected boards
• Long lengths
• Large widths
• Any thickness
• Mainly used by the industry
One side edged boards
• One side edged
• No heartwood
• Combines all the advantages of selected boards with a reduction in processing time for the manufactures
Square edged and dimensioned timber
• Standard sizes or cut to customer’s specifications
• Any thickness
• Large range of dimensions upon request
• Uniform bundles
Frame sections
• Standard sizes or cut to customer’s specifications
• Any length
• Different qualities available
Annual sawn timber production: 850.000 m3
France is Europe's leading producer of oak. More widespread than any other species of hardwood in France, oak accounts for 5,530,000 ha of French forest.
Oak trees are tall (up to 40 meters in height), and grow slowly, developing straight trunks, up to one meter in diameter. They live a long time, harvesting begins at around 150 years of age.
European White Oak
Quercus Robur - Quercus petraea
Wood characteristics
Oak sapwood is clear and easy to distinguish from the yellowishbrown heartwood.
It is mainly a straight grain timber with heterogeneous structure.
Workability
Mechanical characteristics
Figures given at 12 % moisture content (straight-grain timber and free from defects) Average density 710 kg/m3
Preservation
Oak heartwood has a naturally high durability enabling it to be used without any treatment as Class 3 timber (exposed to weathering).
Sapwood is easy to treat and after impregnation can be used as Class 4 timber (in contact with water).
Brinell hardness perpendicular to the fibres
Modulus of longitudinal elasticity under bending12 500 MPa
Main uses
Thanks to its easy machining, oak is the wood of choice for cabinet makers, joiners and interior designers.
French oak is often used to create beautiful, high performance, solid strip Hardwood Flooring, ideal for hallways, living rooms and kitchens.
Oak beams are favoured for building traditional framework, to form the centrepiece of period refurbishment, or to add charm to a new property.
Oak is also very appreciated in wine barrel production as well as for exterior use as decking, pilings and for manufacturing of railway sleepers.
Oak - Appearance grades
According to the standard NF EN 975-1 (available upon request)
Boules (Q-BA, Q-B1, Q-B2, Q-B3 grades)
Q-BA
Fine and moderately fine texture. Sound intergrown knots allowed. Sound sapwood allowed. Regular colouring. Not permitted : enclosed sapwood, red heart
Q-B1
The grain might be slightly angled. Sound intergrown knots allowed. Sound sapwood allowed. 1 isolated defect allowed per board (Frost split, ring shake, red heart).
Q-B2
Sloping or twisted grain is allowed. Curly grain is allowed. Cats paws accepted. Unsound knots (10% of the board) Surface bark pocket allowed.
Square edged timber (Q-FA, Q-F1a, Q-F1b, Q-F2, Q-F3, Q-F4 grades*)
Q-F1a
Straight-grained. 1 sound knot maximum per face for 20% of the boards.
Q-F2
Small knots on each face. 3 sound knots on each face (maximum diameter : 25mm / linear meter)
Squared timber (Q-PA, Q-P1, Q-P2 grades)
Q-F3
No limit of quantity regarding knots (maximum diameter : 40mm / linear meter or 1/2 the width of the board).
The presence of characteristics which are not permitted in a grade leads to a reduction of volume in accordance with the definition of the grade.
Annual sawn timber production: 350.000 m3
Beech
Fagus Sylvatica
Beech is the second most abundant species of hardwood in France. Widespread accross in the northern half of France it accounts for 2,400,000 ha. Trees have particularly straight trunks, with an average diameter of 1.2m and can reach a height of 40m. They can be harvested between 80 and 100 years of age.
Preservation
The durability of beech heartwood is reduced by bad weather, however it is easily impregnated and can be used as Class 4 timber (in contact with water) after treatment.
Workability
Mechanical characteristics
Figures given at 12 % moisture content (straight-grain timber and free from defects)
Wood characteristics
Sawn timber is cream-white to pale pink, without distinct sapwood. Redwood may exist. Generally straight grained with fine texture. Beech wood is well suited for steaming.
Average density
Total average volumetric shrinkage
Brinell hardness perpendicular to the fibres
Modulus of rupture under bending
Breaking stress under axial compression
680 kg/m3
18,3%
28 N/mm2
107 MPa
58 MPa
Modulus of longitudinal elasticity under bending14300 MPa
Main uses
Main uses
Beech turns well, takes glue readily and can produce hight grade veneer. Due to it’s excellent bending qualities it is very popular for manufacturing furniture and stairs. Beech is also idealy suited for interior joinery, flooring, plywood and packaging.
Beech turns well, takes glue readily and can produce hight grade veneer. Due to it’s excellent bending qualities it is very popular for manufacturing furniture and stairs. Beech is also idealy suited for interior joinery, flooring, plywood and packaging.
Beech - Appearance grades
According to the standard NF EN 975-1 (available upon request)
Boules (F-BA, F-B1, F-B2, F-B3 grades)
F-BA
Sound boards. Straight-grained. Reasonable curve. 70% of the batch must be free from all defects.
F-B1
Slight presence of slope grain. Intergrown sound knots permitted on 50% of the batch. Excluded : shakes, rot, curly grain.
F-B2
70% of the batch can allow intergrown sound or dead knots, unsound knots, rotten knots. Bark pockets, curly grain, frost splits allowed : maximum two defects per board.
Square edged - dimensioned timber (F-FA, F-F1, F-F2 grades)
F-FA
Sawn timber free from all defects on 4 faces. Bow tolerance 15mm/m.
F-F1
Sawn timber free from all defects on 3 faces. For 25% of the batch, two intergrown sound knots are allowed on one face or edge.
F-F2
On each face and edge, 3 intergrown sound knots are allowed (40mm maxi).Sound red heart allowed. Any other defect is allowed, except bark pockets.
Considering red heart
Red heart in beech does not impair the wood’s mechanical characteristics.
Once steamed, beech takes a darker uniform colour going from a pinkyto a dark red colour.
The presence of characteristics which are not permitted in a grade leads to a reduction of volume in accordance with the definition of the grade.
Annual sawn timber production:
250.000m3
In France poplars account for 274 000 ha. Valued for their timber, they are widely distributed throughout France. They are often found near water, or cultivated to line avenues and for use as quick, effective windbreaks. Poplars are fast growing, maturing in 20 or 30 years and reaching up to 30m in height. Their trunks are very cylindrical.
Poplar
Populus spp.
Wood characteristics
Sawn timber is white to pale-greyish coloured, straight grained or slightly curved with a fine, sometimes fluffy but uniform texture.
Preservation
It can be treated easily using impregnation, high temperature treatment or surface coating, which allows it to be used as Class 3 timber (exposed to humid atmosphere).
Mechanical characteristics
Figures given at 12 % moisture content (straight-grain timber and free from defects)
Average density
Total average volumetric shrinkage
460 kg/m3
12,9%
Brinell hardness perpendicular to the fibres 12 N/mm2
Modulus of rupture under bending
Breaking stress under axial compression
65 MPa
33 MPa
Modulus of longitudinal elasticity under bending8 800 MPa
Appearance grading
Appearance grading of sawn Poplar is defined by the Technical committee CEN/TC 175 "Round wood & Sawn timber" according to standard NF EN 975-2 (Standard available upon request)
Grade 1(one or two faces clear)
•Knots allowed up to 8mm
• Not allowed: pith, wanes, rots, insects degrades, dote.
Grade 2 (one or two faces of grade 2)
•Small or medium knots
•Traces of pith: allowed if straight
•Dead / rotten knots, wanes, dote, rots,
•Not allowed: insects degrades.
Grade 3 (one or two faces of grade 3)
•Medium knots limited
• Traces of pith, wanes, dote are allowed
• Not allowed: dead / rotten knots, rots, insects degrades.
Grade 4 (two faces of grade 4)
•Knots: 1/3 of the width of the board
• Pith, wanes, dote, insects galleries are allowed
• Not allowed: dead / rotten knots.
Main uses
Poplar is suitable for bedding, framework, plywood and mouldings as well as interior joinery especially blackboards and furniture. It is also ideal for crates, pallets, light and heavy packaging.
Maple-Sycamore
Acer Campestre - Acer Pseudoplatanus - Acer Platanoides
Hardwood species, maple is found throughout northern France. There is a total planted area estimated at 59,000 ha.
Maples are tall trees, up to 30 m in height, with very cylindrical trunks and a medium growth rate allowing them to be harvested at around 80 years.
Preservation
Maple can be easily treated. Once impregnated, it can be used as Class 4 timber (in contact with nonsalty water).
Wood characteristics
Sawn timber shows whitewood, sometimes slightly yellowish. Sapwood is not distinctive.
Mechanical characteristics
Figures given at 12 % moisture content (straight-grain timber and free from defects)
Average density
Total average volumetric shrinkage
Brinell hardness perpendicular to the fibres
Modulus of rupture under bending
Breaking stress under axial compression
Modulus of longitudinal elasticity under bending
630 kg/m3
12,3%
30 N/mm2
110 MPa
54 MPa
10 500 MPa
Main uses
Maple is mainly used for joinery, interior fittings, veneer, furniture, flooring, turned pieces and marquetry.
IDF-J.Becquey
Ash
Fraxinus Excelsior L.
Ash has a high conservation value. It is a tall tree with an airy canopy and short leaf stay. The trunks are straight and smooth with greygreen bark.
In France, ash covers a total of 360,000 ha. of sustainably managed forest. Trees are harvested at around 80 years of age.
Wood characteristics
Sawn timber has a straight silver grain. It is cream white in colour with indistinctive heartwood. If present, grey heart does not impair the wood’s mechanical characteristics.
Preservation
Ash is quite easy to impregnate and after treatment it can be used as Class 3 timber (able to tolerate a humid atmosphere).
Mechanical characteristics
Figures given at 12 % moisture content (straight-grain timber and free from defects)
Average density 720 kg/m3
Total average volumetric shrinkage15,3%
Brinell hardness perpendicular to the fibres34 N/mm2
Modulus of rupture under bending113 MPa
Breaking stress under axial compression 51 MPa
Modulus of longitudinal elasticity under bending12 900 MPa
Main uses
Due to its attractive grain and its bending qualities it is also highly regarded for use in furniture, indoor joinery and flooring. It is also used to produce veneer and structures for light boats.
Annual sawn timber production: 35.000m3
Chestnut
Castanea Sativa
Native from the south of Europe, chestnut accounts for 490,000 ha, mainly in the southern half of France. It is a valuable tree for timber; relatively fast growing, up to 30m tall, with a trunk diameter of up to 1m
Preservation
Chestnut is naturally resistant and easily impregnated allowing a class 4 classification (suitable for outdoor use, in contact with water).
Wood characteristics
Its yellowish white sapwood is distinct from its brown heartwood. Chestnut timber is straight-grained with a medium texture.
Mechanical characteristics
Figures given at 12 % moisture content (straight-grain timber and free from defects)
Average density
Total average volumetric shrinkage
Brinell hardness perpendicular to the fibres
Modulus of rupture under bending
Breaking stress under axial compression
Modulus of longitudinal elasticity under bending
Main uses
Chestnut is used for interior and exterior joinery; kitchen, flooring, panelling, and framework.
620 kg/m3
11,1%
19 N/mm2
71 MPa
46 MPa
12 500 MPa*
CHESTNUT TABLE DESIGN: NICOLAS AUTRIC PRODUCED BY LA FABRIQUE © GAËL MONROZIER
Wild Cherry
Prunus Avium - Cerasus Avium
Wild Cherry is a small, fast growing, deciduous tree up to 25 m in height with a straight cylindrical trunk. Native of the central part of France, it occupies 32.000 ha of sunstainably managed forest. Highly rated for timber, it can be harvested between 50 and 60 years of age.
Wood characteristics
The wild cherry sapwood is pinkish in color and distinctive from the reddish brown heartwood. It is a fine textured wood with a straight silver grain.
Preservation
Not easily impregnated, it is only suitable for interior use.
Mechanical characteristics
Figures given at 12 % moisture content (straight-grain timber and free from defects)
Average density
Total average volumetric shrinkage
Brinell hardness perpendicular to the fibres
Modulus of rupture under bending
Breaking stress under axial compression
Modulus of longitudinal elasticity under bending
610 kg/m3
13,5%
29 N/mm2
96 MPa
49 MPa
10 200 MPa
Main uses
Wild Cherry is very well suited for interior joinery and turnery fittings, furniture, veneer and decorative panelling.
Walnut
Juglans Regia
Walnut trees grow up to 10, 20m in height, found widely throughout France.
Abondant throughout France it accounts for 2,400 ha of sustainably managed forest. Altought it is often seen growing alone in fields. It can be harvested after 100 years.
Wood characteristics
Heartwood is dark yellow to brown with darker veins. Walnut is a straight grained or slightly wavy, medium textured wood.
Preservation
Untreated walnut can be used as Class 2 timber ( in dry atmosphere) as it is naturally durable. After treatment it can be used as Class 4 timber (in contact with non-salty water).
Mechanical characteristics
Figures given at 12 % moisture content (straight-grain timber and free from defects)
Average density
660 kg/m3
Total average volumetric shrinkage 14,1%
Brinell hardness perpendicular to the fibres
Modulus of rupture under bending
Breaking stress under axial compression
Modulus of longitudinal elasticity under bending
26 N/mm2
117 MPa
63 MPa
11 900 MPa
Main uses
Walnut is prized by furniture, cabinet and layout manufacturers because of its colour, hardness, grain and its ability to be turned easily. It is also favoured for veneer production.
Veneer sliced from walnut burl is highly prized by cabinet makers and presitigious car manufacturers.
Some of the additional French hardwoods available
Alnus Glutinosa
Birch
Betula Pubescens
European Hornbeam
Carpinus Betulus
Elm
Ulmus
Pear tree
Pirus Communis
European Lime
Tilia Europaea
6 rue François Ier
75008 Paris
France
Tel : +33 (0)1 56 69 35 92
Fax : +33 (0)1 42 56 32 70
E-mail : contact@frenchtimber.com For more information on French sawn timber and species, check our web site : www.FrenchTimber.com