Different Types of Timber and Wood from Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands for interior decoration
Characteristics of Timber and Wood from Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands
Fijian Kauri
- Softwood
- Very large Tree (same family as New Zealand Kauri)
- Native to Fiji
- Heartwood is pale cream to golden brown and is non durable
- Sapwood is straw to pale brown with visible flecks
- Fine texture, usually straight grained
- Not very strong
- Looks very similar to New Zealand Kauri
Uses - Doors, turning, panelling, mouldings, high quality furniture
Black Butt
- Species of Eucalyptus cut for timber in Australia
Ironbark
- Any Eucalyptus tree with a hard solid bark, valued for its wood
Jarrah
- Hardwood
- Native of Western Australia
- Dark red / burgundy colored timber
- Weather resistant
- Eucalyptus species
Tallowwood
- Native of Australia
- Hardwood
- Pale yellow brown timber colour
- Eucalyptus species
- Very hard greasy durable timber
Rimu (Red Pine)
- Softwood
- Tall tree 35-60m
- Native to New Zealand
- Heartwood is reddish brown color and is moderately durable
- Sapwood is an even pale brown color (non durable and prone to insect attack)
Uses - Building Grade - construction, Appearance Grade - high quality joinery, furniture and fittings
Pale Rimu
Kahikatea (White Pine)
- Tallest New Zealand Native Tree 60m max height
- Softwood
- Native to New Zealand
- Heartwood is yellow/ bright yellow and is moderately durable when treated
- Sapwood is pale white and very susceptible to insect attack
- Most perishable native timber
- Odourless timber (can be used in food areas)
- Fine grain
- Soft and easily worked
- Grows naturally very clear timber
- Long clear boards available
- Dressing grades, rusticated weatherboards available
Kauri
- Average height 30m with a large girth
- Native to New Zealand
- Softwood
- Sapwood is nondurable and a light brown color
- Speckle in timber, pepper like appearance characteristics
Uses - multipurpose but restricted to high quality furniture due to its availability. Was previously used for flooring, weatherboards, sarking, and framing. Some second growth timber is available and a lot of recycled timber. Swamp kauri is another main source, submerged for over 40,000 years.
Matai
- Softwood
- Native to New Zealand
- Strong Tree up to 25m in height
- Heartwood is straw yellow to chestnut, darkens to a deep red (non durable)
- Sapwood is white and is susceptible to insect attack
- Straight grained timber with a fine even texture
Uses - joinery, furniture
Rewa Rewa (Honeysuckle)
- Hardwood
- Native to New Zealand
- Tall tree to 30m in height
- Heartwood is a dark reddish to purple brown (non durable)
- Sapwood is silvery pinkish brown (non durable)
- Very prominent medullary rays when quarter sawn making it easily identified
- Tough and hardwearing
Uses - mostly craft as low supply available
Tawa
- Hardwood
- Native to New Zealand
- Heartwood is bright creamy brown (in large trees it can be dark brown to black)
- Strong but non durable
- Medium tree, 20-25m in height with willow like foliage
- Sapwood is very light, almost white in color, non durable
- High yield of finishing grade timber
Uses - very useful for furniture, joinery, doors, drawers, bench tops, wooden knobs.
New Zealand Tawa
Totara
- Softwood
- Native to New Zealand
- Tall tree - massive 30-50m in height
- Very durable heartwood (can be put in the ground untreated)
- Even red brown color
- Sapwood is a pale brown color and susceptible to insect attack
- Brittle timber, not strong
- Soft, straight grained, fine even textured timber
- Availability - high quality dressed grades
- Care is required when finishing due to natural oils in the timber
Silver Beech
- Hardwood
- Native to New Zealand
- Medium to large tree
- Heartwood is brownish pink and is moderately durable
- Sapwood is light greyish pink and is non durable
- Mainly dressing and appearance grades available
Uses - cabinet making, dowels, brush ware handles
Red Beech
- Hardwood
- Native to New Zealand
- Large evergreen tree 30m high
- Heartwood is durable and light to medium red brown in color
- Sapwood is susceptible to insect attack
Uses - similar to silver beech
Hard Beech
- Hardwood
- Native to New Zealand
- Large 25-35m high tree
- Heartwood is straw to light brown in color and is durable
- Sapwood is lighter than heartwood and susceptible to insect attack
Uses - structural bridge beams, form uses
For more on Interior Design and Decorating Interior Finishes - Types of Timber and Wood select from below.
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