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
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B1368
B1368
FlintCross
DuxfordAir
Museum
Royston
Melbourn
SawstonM11
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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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