Apple wood
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
Apples trees are part of the rose family, as are pears and plums.
Malus x domestica ( also referred to earlier as Malus pumilais or Paradise Apple) is common in the UK but not a native species, where as Malus sylvestris or crab apple is a native species. The very similar Malus sylvestris is also native to the UK, known as wild apple or wild crab apple it is thought to be an important ancestor of other varieties
Apple trees are cultivated in orchards and small trees are often found in hedgerows, scrub, copses, at roadsides and on rough ground, often singularly. Apples are important for wildlife, for example, as a food source for thrushes and bullfinches and a nesting ground for blackbirds. Crab apples are a food source for caterpillars and moths, the flowers are an important source of early pollen and nectar for bees, and blackbirds. Thrushes and crows eat the fruits as well as mice, voles, foxes and badgers.
[edit] Forestry products
Timber from many of the apple tree varieties can be used in buildings. The heartwood varies from a light reddish to a deeper red/brown, with darker and lighter bands of colour with a pale cream sapwood, though this varies with the variety.
It is a hardwood and is used for turnery, handles, carving, small speciality objects as well as furniture. It has a sweet scent and is therefore often used as firewood and for smoking. It can shrink significantly between seasons.
Is not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, although studies have shown that Malus sieversii or wild apple native to mountain areas is increasingly under threat and a species known as Niedzwetsky’s Apple or Malus niedzwetzkyana, also an ancestor of the domestic apple is also at risk.
[edit] Specification
- Common Name(s): Apple, Crab Apple, Wild Apple
- Scientific Name: Malus spp. (Malus domestica, Malus sieversii, Malus sylvestris, etc.)
- Distribution: Found throughout most temperate climates
- Tree Size: 13-30 ft (4-9 m) tall, 1 ft (.3 m) trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: 52 lbs/ft3 (830 kg/m3)
- Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): .61, .83
- Janka Hardness: 1,730 lbf (7,700 N)
- Modulus of Rupture: 12,800 lbf/in2 (88.3 MPa)
- Elastic Modulus: 1,270,000 lbf/in2 (8.76 GPa)
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- A guide to the use of urban timber FB 50.
- Birch wood.
- Carpentry.
- Cedar.
- Forest Stewardship Council.
- Hardwood.
- Lime wood.
- Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification
- Softwood.
- Timber vs wood.
- Types of timber.
[edit] External references
Featured articles and news
The 5 elements of seiri, seiton, seiso, seiketsu and shitsuke.
Shading for housing, a design guide
A look back at embedding a new culture of shading.
The Architectural Technology Awards
The AT Awards 2025 are open for entries!
ECA Blueprint for Electrification
The 'mosaic of interconnected challenges' and how to deliver the UK’s Transition to Clean Power.
Grenfell Tower Principal Contractor Award notice
Tower repair and maintenance contractor announced as demolition contractor.
Passivhaus social homes benefit from heat pump service
Sixteen new homes designed and built to achieve Passivhaus constructed in Dumfries & Galloway.
CABE Publishes Results of 2025 Building Control Survey
Concern over lack of understanding of how roles have changed since the introduction of the BSA 2022.
British Architectural Sculpture 1851-1951
A rich heritage of decorative and figurative sculpture. Book review.
A programme to tackle the lack of diversity.
Independent Building Control review panel
Five members of the newly established, Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommended, panel appointed.
Welsh Recharging Electrical Skills Charter progresses
ECA progressing on the ‘asks’ of the Recharging Electrical Skills Charter at the Senedd in Wales.
A brief history from 1890s to 2020s.
CIOB and CORBON combine forces
To elevate professional standards in Nigeria’s construction industry.
Amendment to the GB Energy Bill welcomed by ECA
Move prevents nationally-owned energy company from investing in solar panels produced by modern slavery.
Gregor Harvie argues that AI is state-sanctioned theft of IP.
Experimental AI housing target help for councils
Experimental AI could help councils meet housing targets by digitising records.
BSRIA Occupant Wellbeing survey BOW
Occupant satisfaction and wellbeing tool inc. physical environment, indoor facilities, functionality and accessibility.