Information on Oak Wood
Oak, (whose genus name is Quercus), is both a deciduous and evergreen shrub or tree that grows primarily in the northern hemisphere. More than 400 species of oak exist. According to M. Grieve of Botanical.com, the name Quercus is derived from Celtic quer (fine) and cuez (tree), which sounds good, the oak is a fine tree. However, A. Venefica of What's Your Sign.com suggests that duir is the Celtic term for the oak and that the word is related to both door and druid. Because of the undeniable strength and hardness of oak wood, and the longevity of the trees coupled to their tendency to attract lightening, it isn't difficult to see why these trees have been venerated by so many people over the centuries.
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Romans And Oak
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The Romans so valued the oak that an oak crown was the second highest achievement granted for military achievement. According to Alexander Adam in his 1837 book "Roman Antiquities," this oak crown, Corona Civica, was extremely difficult to attain. A soldier had to save a Roman citizen (another soldier), kill the opponent and hold the ground, and he had to receive the crown from the rescued soldier.
English And American Attitudes
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The English so valued the oak that oak leaves adorned the back of their coins for centuries. The American military continues to award oak leaves. These awards reflect when a military person has earned more than one of a specific award; the additional awards are worn to indicate how many times the award has been given.
Oak Wood Features
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Alexander B. Johnson coined the phrase "the 'Mighty Oak," in his 1841 book, "The Philosophical Emperor a Political Experiment" and the phrase stuck. Oak wood has great strength and hardness. With a density of 0.75 g/cm³, it is used in wine barrels, furniture, flooring, beams, ships and other wood applications that require strength and hardness. When oak is quartersawn it is particularly prized for its appearance. Its high levels of tannin make it resistant to insects and its tight wood grain is highly valued aesthetically.
Age of Oaks
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Oak tends to have a wide spreading habit, offering shade and protection to both plants and animals. It can live to 400 to 800 years old, depending on the species. According to Botanica.com, the Courthorpe Oak in Yorkshire attained the extraordinary girth of 70 feet and may have been more than a thousand years old.
Hollow Oaks
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Extraordinarily large English oak trees are frequently hollow inside, which has led to many of the myths regarding fairies and where they live. Older oaks with hollow centers can develop openings which allow small animals to climb or live inside of them. According to Richard Folkard in his book "Plant Lore, Legends and Lyrics," Bishop Corbet in his "Iter Boreal" wrote, " 'Turn your cloakes,' " quoth he, "for Pucke is busy in these oakes'." The turning of cloaks was used by wayfarers to cast off bad luck because they believed that elves haunted oak groves.
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