The mighty oak tree and the oak garden furniture that is made from this magnificent wood is a study in contrast. Refined slender lines and intricate curves that will stand the test of time and elements are possible due to its strength and durable nature. Yet many of the most rustic styles with thick posts and rugged appeal are equally suited to the natural properties of oak. Like most woods, there are many species and it is important to know which ones are best suited to the particular function required.
Oak does not immediately come to mind when you begin searching for outdoor wooden garden furniture. Cedar garden furniture, teak wood outdoor furniture, and garden furniture pine are more closely associated with the outdoor environment. While they all are worthy and may be right for you, oak outdoor furniture has its own unique advantages. It is more expensive, partially due to the time it takes for one tree to reach maturity, but it has a long and well-respected heritage of its own.
Because of the expense, oak garden furniture is often overlooked. Heirloom pieces, made to order, are often crafted in oak. If you are looking for a unique piece of your own design, or you are looking for a reproduction piece of a finely crafted 18th century design with delicate lines that in other woods would be too fragile, oak is the perfect choice. This elegant bench, shown below, the central focal point of the Millenium Gardens at Birr Castle in Ireland is a perfect example of the type of work possible in oak garden furniture. It features a central logo of the family initial “R”, designed by Anne Rosse to commemorate her marriage to Michael Rosse in 1935.
Britain also has a long standing tradition in “Bespoke” or made to order fine garden furnishings and many of those are crafted in oak. Mortise and tenon joinery are common in seasoned green oak native to England. So if a trip across the pond is on your agenda, touring the English Countryside for small garden furniture specialty shops makes for a fun afternoon or so of learning what is possible and maybe even finding the perfect piece. More and more of these shops are willing and able to ship out of the country.
Custom woodworking of this kind in the United States has been less common but lately is experiencing somewhat of a renaissance of old techniques and traditions. Artisans specializing in furniture are creating new cottage industries all over and can be located through local art or professional associations. One such association is the Furniture Society located in Ashville, North Carolina. Members are furniture designers and makers of fine art furniture specializing in wood, metal and other various materials. Knowing where the piece will be used and for what purpose is important so that proper species and finishing methods are followed by professionals that have an intimate knowledge of how the wood performs under all conditions.
If you are looking for something at the other end of the spectrum with a lot of western rustic charm, oak is also perfect. If you are considering this type of furniture, look for products made with white oak. Red oak is a great oak for indoor furniture but steer away from it for outdoor uses as it will rot quickly. White Oak has a more open porous grain but is filled with tylose, a natural substance that stops water from wicking into the wood. It is a natural fit for strong hardwood garden furniture where the design sometimes appears to be as minimal as possible, carving just enough of the log to create a functional use. Think Ralph Lauren meets Montana open country. The kind of furniture with an American heritage all its own.
Chinese Oak is another option suitable for many traditional lounge chair designs, swings, or outdoor tables and chairs. It contains tannins which also act to repel fungi and insect attack. The wood is smooth, dense, and finely grained. The price point for products made of this wood seems more reasonable. It is, however, sometimes more difficult to identify where the wood is coming from and for that reason caution should be used to ensure that sustainable practices and procedures are in place so that the future forests are protected. Look for the FSC label, the most widely accepted agency for inspecting and certifying acceptable logging practices. All reputable dealers and manufacturers should welcome any and all inquiries regarding their sourcing policies.
Refined or rugged, whatever you prefer, you can be assured that all oak garden furniture, when properly crafted and finished can last many decades. It is not unusual to find pieces 50 years and older. So when comparing costs over the life of the piece, oak garden furniture can be a very good investment. Over the course of time, an old oak tree will naturally hollow out in the middle. Curiously, this hollowing does not weaken the tree but actually strengthens it as it ages. It continues to sway and bend with the wind, rain, ice, and snow. What better example could there be for a wood well suited to weather the elements?