Oak 'Rouge' vs Queue de Vache: What Every Timber Merchant Needs to Know

Frans eiken parket met "rouge"

If you regularly buy French oak, you have surely heard of oak 'rouge'. No, we are not talking about American red oak here, but about European oak with reddish-brown discoloration in the base of the trunk. This makes it less suitable for the standard production of 'white' oak and is therefore often offered at a lower price.

The Mysterious Cause: Mycorrhizal Mushrooms

Eiken paddenstoel aan de voet van een Europees eiken stam

This unique discoloration is caused by a 'mycorrhizal' fungus that settles at the base of the trunk. This fungus penetrates the bark and roots, thereby coming into contact with the tree's sap flows. This phenomenon, known as symbiosis, alters the chemical composition of the European oak, resulting in the characteristic discoloration.

The Decorative Side of Oak 'Rouge'

Fortunately, there are also people who can appreciate the decorative value of this wood. The discoloration can add a unique, artistic element to your wood projects, provided you have an eye for it.

Queue de Vache: The Unwelcome Guest

Europees eiken verkleuring als gevolg van "Queue de Vache"

Another phenomenon you might encounter is Queue de Vache . This is a brown discoloration at the bottom and top of the trunk, caused by a fungal attack after the tree has been felled. To prevent this, it is important to remove the trunks from the forest and saw them as soon as possible.

Beauty is Subjective

It is important to note that wood with these discolorations is not less strong or of lower quality. It is not rot, but less aesthetically pleasing to many.

For more information about these aspects of French oak, contact the timber merchant in Tilburg: Info@Maartenvdvoorthout.nl .