Australian Native Timber
Spotted Gum.
Corymbia Maculata
Spotted Gum is the common name for four species that grow along the east coast of Australia, from northeast Victoria to the northern tablelands of Queensland, with some occurrence in western areas of southern Queensland. Sawn timber from these species is generally available throughout Australia. These species have straight, slender trunks with smooth bark that is shed in patches, giving the trees their characteristic spotted appearance. The heartwood ranges from light brown through to dark red-brown hues. Sapwood is usually white to light brown in colour. The presence of a wavy grain can produce an attractive fiddle-back figure.
Blackbutt.
Eucalyptus Pilularis
The name Blackbutt came about due to the tree’s appearance after bushfire, whereby the buttress – or butt – was significantly darkened. It is also known as Coastal Blackbutt to distinguish it from the tableland species, New England Blackbutt.
The heartwood ranges from golden yellow to pale brown, although occasionally a slight pinkish colour may be present. The sapwood, which is not always easy to distinguish, is much paler in appearance and is resistant to attack by lyctid borer. Blackbutt has an even texture and generally straight grain making it appealing for interior use applications.
Grey Iron Bark.
Eucalyptus Paniculata
Grey Ironbark is a premium native hardwood that has been well regarded as a high quality timber in Australia throughout human history. Indigenous Australians use it to make spear throwers and boil its bark for treating sores. It is a particularly hard, strong and durable timber, with a truly broad range of applications, due to its resistance to lyctid borers and termites.
The timber’s appearance ranges from reddish to dark brown heartwood. The sapwood is lighter in colour and is 20mm thick on average. Grain is usually tight and straight and no distinctive figure is encountered.
Brush Box.
Lophostemon confertus
Brush box has a fine, interlocked grain and even texture with the heartwood ranging from greyish pink through to a reddish brown, while the sapwood is usually paler in colour. It is free of gum veins. The grain is especially appealing for appearance-based applications such as flooring.
Jarrah
Eucalyptus marginata
Heartwood color ranges from a light red or brown to a darker brick red; tends to darken with exposure to light. Thin sapwood is a pale yellow to pink.
Grain tends to be interlocked or wavy with a medium to coarse texture. Some boards can contain gum pockets or streaks as a naturally-occurring defect. Jarrah can also exhibit a curly figure.
Jarrah is rated as very durable regarding decay resistance, and it is also quite resistant to insect attack.
Because of its great durability and common occurrence. Its vibrant red color, and high density add to its marketability for use in many areas. Jarrah burl is also prized among wood turners, with its tight knots, swirling grain, and rich colors giving an aesthetically pleasing appearance.
Red Stringybark.
(Red Mahogany)
Eucalyptus pellita
Red mahogany is a beautiful timber, displaying a range of deep red and pale pink hues. The grain is uniform and somewhat course and can be interlocked, producing a stunning figure. Generally the heartwood is a deep, rich red in colour but it may be lighter in younger material. The timber’s sapwood is paler and clearly distinct from the heartwood. Tight gum veins, gum deposits and pinhole borer discolouration occasionally augment the appearance of the timber and pencil streak is common.
Janka Rating.
Australian Hardwood Timbers are among some of the world’s hardest by the internationally recognised and universally adopted Janka Hardness Ratings. Just as some people have the genetics that allow them to run fast, jump high, run long distances or bench press heavy weights, species of timber also have genetic dispositions that allow them to withstand intense heat, humidity, high traffic, high heels, water, etc.
Under the Janka Hardness Rating, simply, the higher the number the harder the wood. These ratings were determined using the Janka Hardness Test which measures the side hardness measure of the force required to embed a .444 inch steel ball to half its diameter into the wood. This is one of the best measures of the ability of wood species to withstand denting and wear. It is also a good indicator of how hard a species is to saw or nail.
Grey Ironbark is one of the world’s most durable hardwoods and its uses and applications know almost no bounds. Railway sleepers, bridge piers & pylons, wharves, decking, flooring, structural posts and beams, landscaping, retaining walls, Ironbark has an enormous amount of uses because of it’s strength and durability.
Grey Box is the hardest of Australian timbers and despite its obvious difficulties to work is sometimes featured in our products, it has a very unique grain pattern.
