Knowledge of European Wood | Learn to Identify Its Weaknesses and Age

Peter Hersted shares insights into what European trees can tell you—just by looking at the trunk. Watch the video and learn how to read the tree’s age, its best growth years, where it grew, how many "offspring" it produced, and what may have happened to them.
 

How old is the felled tree?

European trees grow the most in spring, which makes it easy to determine the age of a felled tree. Each year, a growth ring forms. In spring, rapid growth produces a light ring. In August and September, growth slows and forms a darker ring as the tree prepares for winter. By counting the rings, you can determine the age of the tree.

Learn to spot the tree’s weaknesses – and use them
– Just like the Vikings did when building strong ships

European trees have a natural weakness in the pith. This makes it easier to split firewood if you cut through the pith—even though the pith is not always centered. If a tree grew in a clearing with uneven light, it may have developed more on one side, shifting the pith. Another weak point becomes visible during drying: the wood will often crack at its weakest spots. That's why even wood from the same trunk can vary in quality. For projects needing strength or a fine finish, avoid wood with pith or cracks. For other uses, it may be just fine.

 

 

What is a knot?

You may have noticed dark or brown circular marks in timber—that’s a knot. A knot is a branch that grew from the tree before it was felled. Since branches originate from the pith, knots are always visible in the trunk's structure.


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