Oceania possesses fewer tree species acknowledged as timber when compared to other continents such as Africa or the Americas. However, in recent decades the interest in native species has been revived because when well cultivated, they are good quality alternatives in carpentry and construction.
Stick around and we’ll tell you everything you need to know about the oceanic woods that are recognized for their good quality.
Oceania: the continent of hardwoods
First of all, as always, we invite you to read the article on basic concepts of wood. It will help you to better understand the content of this blog.
Another important clarification we must make is that, although the oceanic continent has more than 500 species of trees, not all of them are used for timber purposes, or at least not on a large scale.
For example, many species produce woods so hard that they tend to break easily, meaning they cannot be used in construction, nor are they suitable for many carpentry applications.
In addition, other species are used for medicinal purposes or to make paper pulp, among others.
On the other hand, in countries such as Australia, the felling of native forests (which do not yield much wood and therefore do not generate much economic income) has been favored for several decades in order to cultivate more profitable species such as Teak or Sandalwood, both native to Asia.
So, next we’ll talk about the native species of Oceania that are used for timber purposes because of their high hardness, resistance and good quality in general.
1. White Eucalyptus wood, Common Eucalyptus or Blue Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus)
Characteristics of the White Eucalyptus tree
| Location | Tree native to lands in the southern hemisphere, mainly in countries such as: ∙ Australia (Tasmania).∙ Papua New Guinea.∙ New Zealand. |
| Height | Between 30 and 75 meters on average, although specimens up to 100 meters have been observed on the island of Tasmania. |
| Diameter | Between 80 and 200 cm. |
| Flowers | White, in groups of 3 to 7, with a diameter between 20 and 30 mm; with a length of up to 20 mm. |
| Leaves | Dark green color; between 4 and 9 cm long; oval shape and rounded base. |
| Branches | Very abundant, present from the first 1/3 of the trunk. Tortuous (very curved). |
| Habitat | This species thrives in areas above 300 meters above sea level and grows well in sandy, acid and clay soils, but at the same time moist and well drained, as its roots rot quickly in the presence of abundant water. In this habitat, the level of winter rainfall is uniform; between 500 and 1,000 mm per year and, in addition, the dry season is not very intense and usually does not exceed 3 months. |
| Shelf life | In a natural environment, i.e. in optimal conditions, it can exceed 200 years. |
| Conservation status (IUCN) | Least concern. This species is not threatened, especially because there are large areas for its cultivation. |
White eucalyptus, also known as blue eucalyptus (apparently because of the bluish reflection of its leaves), is a member of the Myrtaceae family, a family of mostly evergreen (leaves do not fall off) tree plants.
There are more than 700 kinds of eucalyptus, which thrive in the southern hemisphere, mainly in Australia, Central and South America and Europe to a lesser extent.
This tree is fast-growing and therefore requires large amounts of water. It has also been cultivated in several swampy regions of the world, which has reduced the natural habitat of the mosquito that transmits the parasite causing malaria.
Remember that the mosquito needs water wells to lay its eggs.
So, the Eucalyptus tree needs so much water that it dries up the water wells and destroys the mosquito’s habitat.
Perhaps that is why the incidence of this disease is lower in these areas.
In addition, virtually all species of Eucalyptus are used in medicinal applications, especially in traditional and homeopathic medicine as a treatment for respiratory diseases such as asthma.
Finally, it is important to know that this tree is also used for reforestation due to its rapid growth.
Problems related to the Eucalyptus
We must remember that there are plantations dedicated to the constant production of this tree for the applications it has.
However, this species is considered invasive in several of the countries where it has been introduced because, due to its rapid growth and high water requirements. It competes with native species, drying out the soil where it grows.
Therefore, areas with a large amount of this tree are very difficult for other species to thrive.
Characteristics of white eucalyptus timber
Overview and applications
The fame of the Eucalyptus tree as a raw material for various medicinal applications and in the production of paper pulp (its main application) has meant that its wood has not received the recognition it deserves. Yet, it is quite good.
This wood is hard, resistant and, due to its natural oils, it can be used outdoors as it resists humidity well.
Keep in mind that one of the reasons for this wood not being more appreciated in terms of timber is that, in many occasions when the tree is cut in plantations for medicinal purposes, its wood has not yet reached maturity and is not solid enough to have good quality.
But when the tree is left to mature its wood is very good, especially because it has high resistance to mechanical forces, which makes it suitable for heavy uses such as construction.
Remember that white eucalyptus wood is marketed as “dry” eucalyptus wood.
Finally, the main uses of Eucalyptus wood are:
- Manufacture of paper pulp.
- Structural construction (manufacture of beams or laminated wood).
- Construction of poles.
- Manufacture of chipboard.
- Manufacture of decorative wood veneers.
- Interior and exterior carpentry (manufacture of doors and window frames).
Age of felling or cutting
Keep in mind that Eucalyptus grows at a rate of approximately 1.3 meters per year. This means that at 10 years it will have a height of 13 meters, which is the normal height at which the tree is felled for medicinal purposes and pulp production.
However, when it is cut to extract its wood, it is advisable to wait until it reaches 20 years of age so that the tree matures sufficiently and good quality wood can be extracted.
Color
Sapwood
Whitish to pale gray.
Heartwood
Light yellow or yellowish brown
Density
Approximately between 780 and 830 kg/m3 at 12% humidity, but this density is not maintained throughout the trunk, i.e. some parts are less dense than others.
In general, the wood of Eucalyptus species is heavy.
Fiber
Interlocked.
Grain
Intermediate to coarse.
Hardness
Monnin score of 3.9; it is a semi-hard wood.
Durability
This wood is susceptible to insect attack. It can be used outdoors without problems because it resists humidity well. However, it is recommended to treat it with varnishes to improve its useful life.
Dimensional Stability
Coefficient of volumetric shrinkage
0.73%, it is a very unstable or very nervous wood, meaning that its volume varies a lot according to the humidity in the environment and this can make its workability difficult, especially when it is cut.
Impregnability
Sapwood impregnable, heartwood moderately impregnable.
Mechanical Properties
Compressive strength
760 kg/cm2
Static flexural strength
1,420 kg/cm2
Modulus of elasticity
165,000 kg/cm2
Workability
Sawing
It is difficult due to the instability of this wood. In addition, its fibers have a lot of tension so a good saw is needed for felling.
Drying
Another problem with Eucalyptus wood is that, at the time of drying whether naturally or industrially (in kilns), it can be deformed, so industrial drying with steam must be used.
Brushing
No problems.
Gluing
No problems.
Nailing and screwing
You must use a drill to make the holes for screws and nails, otherwise this wood tends to split.
Finishing
No problems.
2. Acacia blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon)
Characteristics of the black Acacia tree
| Location | Native to the eastern region of Australia and the island of Tasmania, although it is distributed practically all over the planet, as long as the climate tends to be temperate to cold. |
| Height | 20 meters on average, but in some cases it can reach 40 meters. |
| Diameter | 50 cm. |
| Flowers | Pale yellow in color, they grow singly or in clusters. |
| Leaves | Dark green in color, they are perennial with a maximum length of 13 cm and 2.5 cm wide. They are oval in shape. |
| Branches | Heavy in small numbers |
| Habitat | The black Acacia tree grows in areas with intermediate to high humidity. It is tolerant to different types of soil and needs a lot of light to thrive. It adapts well to a wide range of environments, but thrives best in cold climates. |
| Shelf life | Between 30 and 60 years old approximately. |
| Conservation status (IUCN) | Not evaluated. |
Acacia melanoxylon or blackwood Acacia is an evergreen tree belonging to the Fabaceae family. This tree is popularly known as Tasmanian blackwood.
It is a fast-growing and highly adaptable tree and has been used as a reforestation species.
But as with Eucalyptus, it is also considered an invasive species in several territories.
The problem with this species is that, due to its extensive cultivation, it is already dispersed in the 5 continents, especially because it is used as an ornamental tree. In fact, in some cities an extensive felling process has already begun because the roots of the tree damage the asphalt and pipes nearby.
In addition, maintenance costs are high.
However, in countries such as Australia and New Zealand, projects aimed at the cultivation of native timber species have been advanced to counteract the marked decline of these species on the continent.
Remember that it is common in Oceania to use foreign woods, whether imported or planted on farmland, because the quality-cost ratio is better than if native woods are used, since they are sometimes more difficult to work.
Characteristics of blackwood Acacia
Overview and applications
Acacia is not a single species; on the contrary, there are several species and most of them are not considered as timber.
Two types of species are considered timber species: blackwood Acacia and “false acacia” (Robinia Pseudoacacia) of American origin, which is more common and therefore more commercialized.
Therefore, most likely, if they offer you Acacia wood, they will be talking about the false acacia and not the blackwood Acacia.
Blackwood Acacia wood is not completely black like African Ebony, but rather is the popular name for it.
This wood is of good quality; a little denser than the false acacia but very similar in other characteristics and serves for various uses such as, for example:
- Cabinetmaking.
- Manufacture of handles of tools.
- Manufacture of boats.
- Cooperage.
- Manufacture of floors.
- Lathing.
- Construction of poles.
Age of felling or cutting
The tree is felled between 4 and 10 years in a plantation. Ideally, it should be cut at a minimum of 20 years if it is in a natural environment.
Color
Sapwood
It is very difficult to distinguish from heartwood at first glance.
Heartwood
Reddish-brownish yellow.
Density
It is a heavy wood with an approximate density between 780 and 785 kg/m3.
Fiber
Straight, sometimes interlocked.
Grain
Coarse.
Hardness
It is a very hard wood with a Monnin of 9.5.
Durability
It has very good resistance to weathering. It resists well to insects, fungi and humidity and is not affected by humidity.
Impregnability
Sapwood not very impregnable; heartwood not impregnable.
Workability
Sawing
Difficult, remember that very hard woods such as black Acacia are very resistant to manual and mechanical saws.
Drying
Without problems.
Planing
No problems.
Gluing
No problems.
Nailing and screwing
The use of a drill is necessary to drill the wood, otherwise it is very likely to split.
Finishing
Easy, although depending on the level of tannins it may be less permeable to some paints.
Note: Always use protection when working with it,as it tends to cause allergies and skin irritation.
3. Western sheoak wood (Allocasuarina fraseriana)
Characteristics of the Western sheoak tree
| Location | It is a species endemic to the western territory of Australia. |
| Height | Between 15 and 20 meters approximately. |
| Diameter | 100 cm on average. |
| Flowers | Fertilized flowers develop in the shape of a cone. |
| Leaves | Small, tooth-shaped in several directions. |
| Branches | Thin, green and segmented. |
| Habitat | This tree grows very close to coastal areas. It grows in lateritic soils, that is, soils typical of warm regions that are characterized by low silica and high amounts of iron and other minerals. |
| Conservation status (IUCN) | Minor concern. |
The tree Allocasuarina fraseriana popularly known as Western sheoak belongs to the family Casuarinaceae.
Western sheoak wood characteristics
Overview and applications
Today, Western sheoak is very sought after because of its wide stripes. This design, its good resistance and hardness makes it widely used in:
- Turning.
- Craft carving.
- Manufacturing of floors.
- Manufacture of posts.
- Cabinetmaking.
- Carpentry of exteriors.
- Elaboration of train sleepers.
Color
Sapwood
From pink to red with brown shades.
Heartwood
Yellowish brown.
Density
Semi-heavy wood with a density at 12% of 730 kg/m3.
Fiber
Straight.
Grain
Intermediate.
Hardness
It is a hard to very hard wood with a Monnin score of 9.
Durability
Good resistance to wood boring insects and humidity; moderate resistance to fungi.
Impregnability
Sapwood impregnable.
Workability
Sawing
Without problems.
Drying
No problems.
Planing
No problems.
Gluing
No problems.
Nailing and screwing
Drill must be used to drill the wood.
Finishing
No problems.
Peculiarities of Oceanian woods
As you may have noticed, the woods we have described are of Australian origin. it’s not that the other countries of the oceanic continent do not have native woods, but because the native woods of Oceania are not mostly timber, or at least they have not been considered as a good source of wood until a few years ago.
Take New Zealand, for example, whose most widespread species is Radiata Pine, a species native to North America.
But why is this happening?
The truth is that the European settlers who arrived in Oceania between the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries began to cultivate the trees they already knew and therefore could already work.
The warts of Australian woods
One of the reasons why attention has been drawn to the timbers of Oceania, especially some Australian species, is because they display “warts.”
Warts are wood singularities. They are shaped like lumps or conical asperities that result from malformed buds on the tree and protrude from the surface of the wood. They are unique and originate from multiple causes:
- Extreme climatic variations.
- Knocks.
- Predator action on the bark of the tree.
These warts cause the grain to become tortuous creating a lattice with unique characteristics.
Such rarities are typical of dense woods such as Western sheoak and blackwood Acacia, among others. In addition, they allow for an extraordinary finish on the wood pieces.
On the other hand, the importance of these singularities lies in the fact that they can be used to make very exclusive decorative veneers.
Keep in mind then that they are very expensive because you can only acquire these products by importing them directly from Australia (although if you live there do not expect a great discount either).Finally, we can conclude that warts are a luxury among woods because they guarantee a touch of exclusivity; no two warts are the same and in addition to that, they are not common.