BeamsLiving wood

Newly built, green oak roof structure on existing barn walls.Old barn frame restoration using green oak structural timbers.

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Man has long regarded English oak as an idealbuilding material. From medieval timber-framedmansions with their wealth of exposed beams,down to understated twenty-first century homes,English oak has been the structural timber ofchoice.

The reasons are many.

English oak’s range of

beneficial properties is

substantial. It combines

strength and comparative

lightness with ready

workability. So oak adds

considerable utility to

construction.

Then there’s its highly

attractive finish. Oak’s

tight grain adds character

and interest to a structure

as well as setting-off fine

arts and fabrics.

It is this unbeatable combination of valuablestructural and décor properties that explains whyWhippletree specialises in English oak.

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Oak facts

Like butterGreen oak is extremely easy to work.

Craftsmen have described it as being like

“cutting butter”. The wood chippings

naturally curl like butter too and the slightly

milky look the oak takes on, as its natural

tannins leech out, completes the picture.

...and green oak readily available.

Large stock of seasoned beams...

The stock sizes below are for next day collection. Any size can be milled within 7–10 days. All measurements in mm unless stated.

SECTION LENGTH (m)

Green Oak Beams 9 standards: 6 standards:

150x75, 150x100, 150x150, 225x75, 2.4, 3.0, 3.6, 4.3, 4.8, up to 6m

225x100, 225x150, 200x200, 225x225, 325x50

Air-dried Oak Beams Up to 350x350 Up to 7m

Air-dried ex-plank 25 - 150 Up to 4.5m

Softwood beams Up to 300x300 Up to 7m

Specials Vast range – All timbers can be supplied in a range

Oak, Ash, Elm of bespoke cuts, along with boxed heartwood.

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Whippletree can structurally grade

oak to BS5756, so we can supply

to a Strength Class whenever it is

required; structural timber and

frames for every building need;

green or seasoned, there’s an

extensive range to choose from:

Specials:Whippletree can supply unusually

large timbers, complete logs or

bespoke commissions requiring

complex/demanding machining

and/or finishing.

From shaped ends to more forms

such as tapers, small or large

curves, jowl posts, moulded and

chamfered beams and turned

columns. Whatever your

constructional or roof truss need,

we can supply it.

Sawn or machined,to any dimension,or shape.

Superior structural timbers

Long-lasting strength, plus flexibility,utility and beauty - English oakdelivers it all. This uniquelyattractive combination of benefitsexplains why the desire for oakremains so strong.

Structurally strong beams, imparting a light and airynature to this classic barn conversion.

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Immensely strongAlthough its composite structure is like

other woods’, the oak’s internal structure is

more robust - comprising lignin, cellulose,

tannins, resins and numerous other

substances. The lignin cell frames take

compression, the oak’s cellulose cell cores

are very pliable, the medullary ray cells from

the heart to the bark are substantial, so

preventing shearing, while plugs and tannins

additionally stiffen the tree’s structure. But

it is the oak’s specific combination of these

ingredients that creates such a strong

outcome and accounts for this wood’s

particular strength and durability.

Dowel pegs:Whippletree’s oak dowel is

produced from seasoned,

straight-grained oak in 12, 19, and

22mm diameters and in 0.6m and

1.2m lengths, to suit all framing

requirements. Oak facts

Construction Timber

We supply great quantities of oak to timber framemanufacturers and historic building renovators, bothfor repairs and extensions.

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Every beam we store is serial numbered so the age of

that section is guaranteed.

Where extra stability is required, such as for glazed

areas, we will supply construction timbers cut from

fully seasoned plank. Construction grade plank

thicknesses run from 25 – 150mm.

A large stock of common-sized green oak is kept at all

times. Whippletree offers all of these for next day

collection. Any size can be milled, but note that this

will generally require an additional 7-10 days

before delivery.

Complete framesWhippletree can also construct complete oak frames

and trusses to order. In fact, if required, we also have

the capacity to design as well as even erect frames.

We can also supply feather-edge oak cladding (see our

Cladding leaflet).

If you are interested in using this comprehensive

service, then talk to us about timings and prices.

Complete new green oak-framed extension to an existing barn.

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Green oak churchspireA replacement church spire was

required with an octagonal taper

for most of its length, finishing

square at the base. Water shed

details were added where the

octagonal section became square.

Seasoned oakKew Gardens have an on-going

requirement for replacement

timbers for their rose garden

pergolas. 7m lengths of air-dried

200x100mm oak with shaped ends

have been supplied. (Top left)

Ash logsComplete de-barked ash logs

supplied for entrance foyer to

Lensfield School, Cambridge.

(Bottom)

Larch tail-poleA ten-metre long tapered tail-pole

was supplied to the post mill at

Drinkstone, dating from 1689.

This was a specially sourced

timber that involved demanding

finishing particularly where the

great post was fitted into the

iron cap and bearing. (Bottom

middle)

Elm boardingMill race boarding for a North

Yorkshire water mill to convey

water to it from a river 80m’s away.

Whippletree supplied 50mm

planks of air-dried elm, cut and

then machined with a tongue and

groove to match the project’s

requirements. (Top and bottom

right)

The art of timber framingThe roof of Westminster Hall, built by Hugh Herland between 1393 and 1397 is

a 660-ton work of art. Constructed entirely of English oak, this unique structure

bridges an impossibly wide 68-foot span, yet even today no one absolutely

understands why it is still standing. Only this medieval carpenter’s vision and

skill, plus oak’s natural structural strength and durability keep it there.

Superior service‘From stump to site’ we provide a

superior 10-point service:

■ Fine timber selected at stump

■ Certification undertaken in-

house

■ Provenance scheme accurately

logs all timber

■ Sawn for high yield

■ Naturally seasoned

■ Kiln-drying capacity

■ Sapwood and heart defects

removed and cutting-list

matched

■ Massive retained stock

■ On-time delivery

■ On-site technical support

Traditional valuesWhippletree - a traditional name

for a company that believes in a

tradition of solid trading values:

■ Technical expertise

■ Quality products

■ Superior service

■ Plus a commitment to

professional after-sales support.

We’re proud of these values and

of our products. That’s why every

significant beam delivery

contains one piece carrying the

Whippletree quality marque.

GuaranteedqualityOur traceability scheme means we

can identify the exact UK location

from which every batch of timber

has come. We insist on buying

timber ‘at stump’. This ensures its

quality and origin. Each harvested

tree is allocated an unique serial

number on site, then recorded and

labelled so we can trace it all the

way through to point of sale. Thus,

unlike many merchants, we

guarantee to supply English oak.

First-classseasoning andstorageOnce selected and logged the

timber is then graded, sawn

‘through and through’ (to maximise

the yield) and subsequently

carefully stacked on drying sticks.

Then left to naturally season (a

‘year per inch’) before kiln-drying

down to a set moisture level

(Flooring is normally 10-11%, but

we can vary this according to

project requirements). Once the

timber is kiln-dried it is held in a

conditioned store that is both

heated and ventilated.

Whippletree for Quality

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Oak factsOak erodes steelWhen oak is cut its natural tannins are

exuded. Steel tools used for working this

timber, especially the sapwood, need to be

thoroughly cleaned after use otherwise the

tannin residue eats into the tool’s surface

to pit it.

As trees mature they die back. In time its timber becomes stained,

then rots. This is a natural part of habitat regeneration.

Careful harvesting of mature trees has three distinct environmental

benefits. First, harvesting them at the right time supports this natural

regeneration process. Second, it can actually speed up the process of

woodland renewal. Lastly, the management measures associated with

harvesting are proven to increase biodiversity.

Wherever Whippletree buys ‘at stump’, on that site we ensure that

woodland’s stewardship meets Forestry Commission requirements –

with harvested trees replaced by new seedlings and protective

measures put in place.

This is Whippletree’s environmental commitment. So using

Whippletree beams can actually contribute to the conservation of our

beautiful English countryside.

Whippletree environmentally friendly

Complete frame in green oak for a remodelled barnconverted into living accommodation.

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Whippletree for product breadth

■ Ash

■ Elm

■ Hazel – wattles only

■ Larch

■ Oak – both English and European

■ Sweet chestnut – mainly laths

■ Western red cedar – cladding

■ Other hardwoods

■ Flooring

■ Joinery – seasoned timber and bespoke

■ Cladding

■ Laths & lime

Whatever your project demands, from

everyday joinery, beams, doors or flooring,

through to the downright unusual.

What is a Whippletree?The Oxford English Dictionary records two meanings for a whippletree:The first, now regarded as obsolete, is possibly derived from the Middle Low German ‘wipelbom’, denoting a glossed ‘cornel-tree’

that appeared to be a portmanteau term for fruit trees. Chaucer used the word in 1386. The tree was a type of cherry bearing

small red fruits about the size of an olive. Cornel wood was celebrated for its hardness and toughness.

The second meaning links whippletree to draught animals and denotes a development of a swingletree – which was a pivoted

wooden crossbar to which two or more draught animals’ were attached, permitting freedom of movement for the draught

animals’ shoulders. In 1733 a wooden whippletree was recorded as being 2ft 6 inches long.

To perform the function of a whippletree the wood requires considerable strength, yet still be capable of being readily worked.

Typically a whippletree was constructed from ash or oak.

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Extensive productsAs East Anglia’s premier quality English oak merchant, we also supply European oak and other

quality hard and softwoods. Whippletree’s aim is to meet the timber needs of the building and

restoration trades:

Green oak orderawaiting delivery.

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A10

A10

A505

A505

B1368

B1368

FlintCross

DuxfordAir

Museum

Royston

Melbourn

SawstonM11

M11

A11

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Talk to us at the Whippletree

office, describe your

requirements and we will

happily quote on your project.

Please call 01763 208966

Every step of the way, from ‘stump to site’,Whippletree delivers best value to its customers.

Milestone Farm, Barley Road,Flint Cross, Nr Royston,Hertfordshire SG8 7QD

Telephone: 01763 208 966

Green oak roof structureon existing barn walls.

Whippletree is East Anglia’s premier quality English oak merchant.

We also supply European oak and other quality hard and softwoods.

Our objective is to meet every timber need of the building and restoration trades.

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