I use European Beech quite a bit when making my pieces as it’s a very strong, hard and durable close-grain hardwood. When compared to North American hardwood species, only Hickory has higher strength properties.
The European Beech tree has an unmatched place in history. The beechnuts were food for prehistoric man and are still consumed today. Beechnuts are eaten by birds and mammals, serving as an important food for squirrels.
For centuries beech has been used in furniture, cabinets, boat building, hardwood flooring, butcher blocks, tools, and other interior furnishings, as well as for turnings, musical instruments, toys, kitchenware, and carvings. It also has excellent bending capabilities and can be used in steam bending
It features a straight grain with a warm, reddish hue, offering a more traditional aesthetic. Beech is renowned for its shock resistance and is frequently used in chairs, desks, and other pieces that require structural integrity which is why I use it as the base timber for many of my cutting boards