Here at Country Interiors you'll hear a lot of talk about 'End Grain Beech', and with good reason. It's the jewel in the crown of each of our bespoke butcher's block islands and the reason for their durability, strength and versatility. In the first of our 'Know your wood' series, we'd like to introduce you to this wonderful wood and help you to appreciate it's crucial role in your beautiful stained butcher's block island or painted butcher's block island. 

Due to beech bark being unable to heal itself, it is famously popular for romantic carvings...

The facts

Our end grain beech comes from sustainable European Beech (Fagus sylvatica), which can generally grow to around 50m in height with a trunk diameter of up to 3m.  They can live for up to 300 years (100-200 is more common) and need around 30 to reach maturity - as opposed to 40 for their American cousins. 

Benefits

The short grain of the timber make it extremely good to work with, which is why so many turned wood products are made from beech. It is easy to soak, glue and of course - varnish and paint which makes it perfect for our stained furniture and painted furniture. Its wear resistance, strength and durability make it ideal for use in hard wearing areas of the home such as the kitchen and due its massive size - is readily available in long lumber for the beautifully thick butcher's block island worktops. 

Uses - Lumber, veneer, flooring, boatbuilding, furniture, cabinetry, musical instruments (piano pinblocks), plywood, and turned objects.

Wonder wood!

Additionally, the wood is used for smoke flavouring and, due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant qualities, it is often used to treat symptoms related to varicose veins (inflammation, pain, swelling, heaviness, itching, dryness).

Why not check out our butcher's block islands to see this wood at work?