AUSTRALIAN TIMBER SPECIES

Australian native timbers are highly prized for their versatility and unique characteristics, making them ideal for a wide range of woodworking projects. Decking, flooring, and furniture manufacturers often choose native timbers such as Ironbark, Lancewood, and Redgum for their strength, durability, and natural beauty.

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Black Gidgee

Acacia cambagei

As Gidgee produces a resonant note it is now used in musical instruments. both in it’s straight grained and ringed forms Gidgee is known for its hardness and lustre, making this wood very desirable. Harvested from Nth Qld, straight quality sawlogs.

Origin	Australia
Colour	Dark brown
AD Density - KG/M3	1000+ very hard
Hardness Janka kN	13+ very hard
Durability Above Ground	Class 1: very durable – over of 40 years above ground
Durability In Ground	Class 1: very durable – over of 25 years in ground

Blackbutt

E. pilularis

Heartwood ranges from golden yellow to pale brown, sometimes with a slight pinkish tint. The sapwood is lighter and resistant to lyctid borer. Blackbutt has an even texture and straight grain, ideal for interior applications. It is a durable hardwood suitable for structural, exterior, and interior use, such as framework, decking, flooring, and poles.

Origin	Australia
Colour	Light brown
AD Density - KG/M3	580 - 1000 hard
Hardness Janka kN	9-12 hard
Durability Above Ground	Class 1: very durable – over of 40 years above ground
Durability In Ground	Class 2: durable – between 15 and 25 years in ground

Brigalow

Acacia harpophylla

Small to medium-sized tree yielding a dense, moderately fine-grained hardwood. Heartwood dark reddish-brown. Sapwood thin yellow and quite distinctive.

Fine furniture, can be substituted for Lancewood, Gidgee, Blackwood.

Origin	Australia
Colour	Dark brown
AD Density - KG/M3	580 - 1000 hard
Hardness Janka kN	9-12 hard
Durability Above Ground	Class1
Durability In Ground	Class1

Camphor Laurel

Cinnamomum camphora

Camphor laurel yields a beautiful, rich honey-coloured timber with a clean, fresh camphor smell that is perfect for furniture, carving, and cabinetry. Its heartwood varies widely in colour from pale to mid brown and is often streaked with darker brown or red.

Camphor wood features the characteristic camphor smell that repels moths and other insects, making it perfect for clothes storage cabinets. Camphor laurel also has antibacterial properties prized for use in crafting handsome chopping and carving boards. It is also recommended for use as slabs in kitchen benchtops, tables and shelves, as well as decorative veneers, internal lining boards and turned or hand-carved bowls.

Origin	Australia
Colour	Yellow blonde
AD Density - KG/M3	480 - 560 soft
Hardness Janka kN	<4 - soft
Durability Above Ground	Class 2: durable – between 15 and 40 years above ground
Durability In Ground	Class 2: durable – between 15 and 25 years in ground

Cooktown Ironwood

Erythrophleum chlorostachys

One of the heaviest, strongest and most durable timbers in the world, the tree is very slow-growing and relatively small, yielding logs up to a maximum length of about 5 metres and a diameter of about 40 centimetres. When freshly cut the timber may appear pink, but it darkens to a deep rich red colour with beautiful swirls in the grain on some pieces.

The red heartwood has extremely high durability, even when used externally and in contact with the ground. It is resistant to borers, termites, and fungal rots.

Uses include engineering – bridge construction, mining timbers, sleepers. Construction -heavy structural, heavy flooring, decking, shipbuilding. Decorative – furniture, joinery, inlay work. Also used for musical instruments, implements and handles.

Origin	Australia
Colour	Dark reds
AD Density - KG/M3	1000+ very hard
Hardness Janka kN	13+ very hard
Durability Above Ground	Class1
Durability In Ground	Class1

Flooded Gum

E. grandis

Flooded Gum has decorative applications in high-quality furniture, as it is easy to carve and turn. Boats and structural plywood can also be built from this timber. It has a range of general construction uses due to its class 2 above ground durability (15 to 40 years),

Origin	Australia
Colour	Light reds
AD Density - KG/M3	580 - 1000 hard
Hardness Janka kN	4-8 medium
Durability Above Ground	Class 2: durable – between 15 and 40 years above ground
Durability In Ground	Class 3: moderately durable – between 5 and 14 years in ground

Forest Red Gum

E. tereticornis

Forest red gum is highly durable with an extremely high density. It displays a tight interlocking grain alongside its lush red colour, making it excellent for applications where appearance and durability are important.

Is used in wharf and bridge construction, railway sleepers, cross-arms, and mining timbers. It is suitable for all building members including posts and poles, framing, flooring, lining, decking and cladding, indoor and outdoor furniture. Forest red gum is suitable for the manufacture of structural plywood. Easy timber to dry.

Origin	Australia
Colour	Dark reds
AD Density - KG/M3	1000+ very hard
Hardness Janka kN	9-12 hard
Durability Above Ground	Class1
Durability In Ground	Class1

Grey Ironbark

E. paniculate

A particularly hard, strong, and durable timber, with a broad range of applications, due to its resistance to lyctid borers and termites.

Engineering uses include railway sleepers, construction, poles and cross-arms, and bridge construction. Unseasoned timber is used in house framing, while dressed timber can be employed for both internal and external use. It has also been used in boat, coach, vehicle, and carriage building and to create sporting goods.

Origin	Australia
Colour	Dark brown
AD Density - KG/M3	1000+ very hard
Hardness Janka kN	13+ very hard
Durability Above Ground	Class1
Durability In Ground	Class1

Jarrah

E. marginata

A large hardwood from the south-west corner of WA. Heartwood dark red. texture relatively coarse but even. Grain slightly interlocked, sometimes producing fiddleback figure.

Jarrah’s natural properties include high resistance to weather, rot, termites, and even marine borers, making it valuable for a range of outdoor uses. Its density also makes it fire resistant. It can be used in wharf and bridge construction, railway sleepers, flooring, linings, joinery, and fencing.

Jarrah’s decorative qualities make it prized for use in flooring, decking, furniture, turnery, joinery, and parquetry.

Origin	Australia
Colour	Dark reds
AD Density - KG/M3	580 - 1000 hard
Hardness Janka kN	4-8 medium
Durability Above Ground	Class 2: durable – between 15 and 40 years above ground
Durability In Ground	Class 2: durable – between 15 and 25 years in ground

Jarrah

Eucalyptus microcorys

Jarrah is a unique Australian hardwood renowned for its versatility. Its durability and strength make it an ideal timber for a range of structural and design applications, with timbers that display colours ranging from deep red to blonde.

Jarrah’s natural properties include a high resistance to weather, rot, termites and even marine borers, making it valuable for a range of outdoors uses. Its density also makes it fire resistant. It can be used in wharf and bridge construction, railway sleepers, cross arms, poles and piles.

Construction applications include flooring, linings, joinery and fencing. Jarrah’s decorative qualities make it prized for use in furniture, turnery, joinery and parquetry.

Origin	Australia
Colour	Dark reds
AD Density - KG/M3	580 - 1000 hard
Hardness Janka kN	9-12 hard
Durability Above Ground	Class 1: very durable – over of 40 years above ground
Durability In Ground	Class 2: durable – between 15 and 25 years in ground

Karri

E. divericolor

Karri is used extensively for flooring, paneling, and internal joinery. Its strength and appearance have a wide appeal for fine furniture designers. It has been used extensively for general construction, framing, joists, shipbuilding, sleepers, guides or side beams in mines, structural plywood, roofing timbers, and pulp and paper.

The timber also lends itself to use in roofing because it can be milled in extensive lengths that are uninterrupted by knots.

Origin	Australia
Colour	Light reds
AD Density - KG/M3	580 - 1000 hard
Hardness Janka kN	9-12 hard
Durability Above Ground	Class 2: durable – between 15 and 40 years above ground
Durability In Ground	Class 3: moderately durable – between 5 and 14 years in ground

Lancewood

Acacia shirleyi

Lancewood is arguably one of the most attractive of the chocolate-hued timbers in the World. A small to medium tree yielding tough, dense, and darkly colored wood.

Fine furniture, also an excellent turnery and craft timber when the contrasting sapwood is used for effect. Potential for musical instrument components such as violin bows, fingerboards, and guitar fretboards.

Origin	Australia
Colour	Dark brown
AD Density - KG/M3	1000+ very hard
Hardness Janka kN	13+ very hard
Durability Above Ground	Class 1: very durable – over of 40 years above ground
Durability In Ground	Class 2: durable – between 15 and 25 years in ground

Marri

E. calophylla

Marri timber is increasingly used for modern household furniture. The finished honey-coloured timber with a distinctive vein structure makes handsome flooring. It can also be used for general construction, handles, oars, and sporting equipment.

Origin	Australia
Colour	Light brown
AD Density - KG/M3	580 - 1000 hard
Hardness Janka kN	4-8 medium
Durability Above Ground	Class 3: moderately durable – between 7 and 15 years above ground
Durability In Ground	Class 3: moderately durable – between 5 and 14 years in ground

Melville Island Bloodwood

Corymbia nesophila

Can yield logs more than 10 meters in length. The wood is dark pink to red in colour and has an attractive interlocked grain.

Very tough and extremely durable uses include indoor and outdoor furniture, flooring and decking, fencing, cladding, landscaping, and other weather-exposed uses.

Origin	Australia
Colour	Dark reds
AD Density - KG/M3	1000+ very hard
Hardness Janka kN	13+ very hard
Durability Above Ground	Class1
Durability In Ground	Class1

New England Blackbutt

Eucalyptus andrewsii

A durable hardwood, New England Blackbutt is used for general construction applications, flooring and joinery.

Also known as New England Ash, it is similar in appearance yet not quite as durable as Coastal Blackbutt.

The heartwood is pale brown, while the sapwood is much paler in appearance. New England Blackbutt has an even texture and generally straight grain. Gum veins are usually present.

Origin	Australia
Colour	Light brown
AD Density - KG/M3	580 - 1000 hard
Hardness Janka kN	4-8 medium
Durability Above Ground	Class 2: durable – between 15 and 40 years above ground
Durability In Ground	Class 2: durable – between 15 and 25 years in ground

Red Ironbark

E. crebra

Red ironbark is ideal for engineered structures that require excellent durability and strength, including wharf and bridge members, poles, railway sleepers, mining timbers.

The timber is also suitable for all building construction materials from poles, framing, flooring, decking, and cladding. Additionally, the wood is suitable for both indoor and outdoor furniture.

Origin	Australia
Colour	Dark reds
AD Density - KG/M3	1000+ very hard
Hardness Janka kN	13+ very hard
Durability Above Ground	Class1
Durability In Ground	Class1

Spotted Gum

Corymbia citriodora C. maculata

The species referred to as spotted gum vary in appearance but not in durability class or other properties. The heartwood ranges from light brown through to dark red-brown hues.

Spotted gum is used in engineering applications such as wharf and bridge construction, railway sleepers, cross-arms and mining timbers. Creates magnificent flooring, lining, decking, and cladding. Spotted gum is also used in the manufacture of veneer and plywood.

Origin	Australia
Colour	Light brown
AD Density - KG/M3	1000+ very hard
Hardness Janka kN	4-8 medium
Durability Above Ground	Class 1: very durable – over of 40 years above ground
Durability In Ground	Class 2: durable – between 15 and 25 years in ground

Sydney Bluegum

Eucalyptus saligna

Sydney Blue Gum is widely used for flooring, cladding, fencing, paneling and boat building. Other common applications include landscaping (as garden sleepers), furniture and joinery.

The heartwood of the species ranges in colour from dark pink to a reddish brown. Sapwood is distinctly paler. The grain of Sydney blue gum timber is typically straight, with occasional interlocking of grain.

Sydney blue gum timber is easy to dry relative to most other eucalypts. It is also easy to work, dress and fix. It responds well to most finishes and takes a good polish, making it popular for decorative applications where moderate durability is required.

Origin	Australia
Colour	Dark reds
AD Density - KG/M3	580 - 1000 hard
Hardness Janka kN	9-12 hard
Durability Above Ground	Class 3: moderately durable – between 7 and 15 years above ground
Durability In Ground	Class 3: moderately durable – between 5 and 14 years in ground

Tallowwood

Eucalyptus microcorys

Tallowwood is an extremely hard, durable and versatile Australian native hardwood species. Tallowwood exhibits exceptional durability in both in-ground and aboveground applications, where life expectancy is greater than 25 and 40 years, respectively. Tallowwood is highly resistant to decay and will withstand damp and wet conditions quite well.

Current engineering applications include wharf and bridge construction (as sawn and round timber), railway sleepers, cross-arms, poles, piles and mining timbers. Decorative uses include outdoor furniture, turnery and joinery.

Origin	Australia
Colour	Light brown
AD Density - KG/M3	1000+ very hard
Hardness Janka kN	9-12 hard
Durability Above Ground	Class 1: very durable – over of 40 years above ground
Durability In Ground	Class 1: very durable – over of 25 years in ground

White Cypress Pine

Callitris glaucophylla

Natural resins in the wood impart a distinctive odour to white cypress and are believed to contribute to the timber’s impressive natural durability. Heartwood is resistant to termites. Life expectancy for above ground applications is greater than 40 years and up to 25 years in-ground.

Cypress is used as flooring, cladding, and fencing material. Decorative uses of white cypress include quality indoor and outdoor furniture, turnery, joinery, carving, parquetry, and linings. Other common applications include oyster stakes and jetty piles in low-salinity environments, as well as beehives.

Origin	Australia
Colour	Yellow blonde
AD Density - KG/M3	580 - 1000 hard
Hardness Janka kN	4-8 medium
Durability Above Ground	Class 1: very durable – over of 40 years above ground
Durability In Ground	Class 2: durable – between 15 and 25 years in ground

AUSTRALIAN TIMBER SPECIES

For the past 10 years OPS Forestry has worked closely with landowners throughout Australia, contributing to the sustainable management of their forests and the resulting income generation.

REGION SEARCH

Australia

Asia-Pacific

North America

South America

Africa

Black Gidgee

Acacia cambagei

Blackbutt

E. pilularis

Brigalow

Acacia harpophylla

Camphor Laurel

Cinnamomum camphora

Cooktown Ironwood

Erythrophleum chlorostachys

Flooded Gum

E. grandis

Forest Red Gum

E. tereticornis

Grey Ironbark

E. paniculate

Jarrah

E. marginata

Jarrah

Eucalyptus microcorys

Karri

E. divericolor

Lancewood

Acacia shirleyi

Marri

E. calophylla

Melville Island Bloodwood

Corymbia nesophila

New England Blackbutt

Eucalyptus andrewsii

Red Ironbark

E. crebra

Spotted Gum

Corymbia citriodora C. maculata

Sydney Bluegum

Eucalyptus saligna

Tallowwood

Eucalyptus microcorys

White Cypress Pine

Callitris glaucophylla