Naturally Timber uses only naturally felled, plantation-grown or reclaimed species. Here are our most commonly used timbers, however we source others for specific requirements.
American Oak
BOTANICAL NAME
Quercus alba
COLOUR
Pale Straw to Pale Brown
CHARACTERISTICS
Relatively hard and moderately heavy timber. American Oak has a tight grain pattern that tends to run in a V shape rather than in straight lines. Easy to work with and responds very well to stains and polishes.
American Walnut
BOTANICAL NAME
Juglans nigra
COLOUR
Dark brown to purplish-black
CHARACTERISTICS
Widely distributed throughout central and eastern USA. Used mainly for decorative veneers, but also sought-after for fine furniture. Moderately hard with a course texture that’s easily worked. Usually fine-grained and finishes well, taking an excellent polish.
Camphor Laurel
BOTANICAL NAME
Cinnamomum camphora.
COLOUR
From light brown to deep roasted brown, often streaked with darker brown or red. Sapwood ranges from near-white to dark browns and reds.
CHARACTERISTICS
Interlocked moderately fine grain with an even texture. Used for tables, benchtops, shelves, lining boards and turned or hand-carved bowls.
River Red Gum
BOTANICAL NAME
Eucalyptus Camaldulensis Dehnh.
COLOUR
Pinkish red to deep red
CHARACTERISTICS
Australia’s most common eucalypt. Grows along the rivers and streams of the Murray Darling basin. Durability and termite resistance make it popular for heavy duty applications. Hardness and interlocking grain make it difficult to work, yet enduring with a beautiful lustrous finish. Often reclaimed from old railway sleepers, wharves and mine shafts for re-use in furniture manufacturing.
Spotted Gum
BOTANICAL NAME
Corymbia Maculata
COLOUR
Light honey to dark brown with grey tones and occasional purple streaks
CHARACTERISTICS
Among the world’s hardest timbers, suitable for structural and high-impact applications, such as tool handles. The attractive grain can have a fiddleback pattern and gum veins.
Sydney Blue Gum
BOTANICAL NAME
Eucalyptus Globulus
COLOUR
Pale pinkish straw to blue/greenish brown
CHARACTERISTICS
Native to south-eastern Australia, but also plantation-grown in other countries. Grain structure varies, but mostly wavy and fiddleback. Exceptional strength makes it ideal for furniture. Traditionally used for heavy construction (eg. bridges and and railway sleepers).
Tasmanian Blackwood
BOTANICAL NAME
Acacia Melanoxylon
COLOUR
Light brown to dark brown, sometimes with a reddish tint and black streaks
CHARACTERISTICS
Wattle hardwood, native to Tasmanian wetlands. A favourite for furniture because of its high resilience and ease to work. The attractive irregular grain can be finished into a smooth and lustre.
Victorian Ash
BOTANICAL NAME
Eucalyptus Delegatensis.
COLOUR
Cream to light pinkish-brown
CHARACTERISTICS
Easy to work, popular for furniture and construction. Excellent staining quality assists colour matching with other timbers and furnishings.
Western Australian Jarrah
BOTANICAL NAME
Eucalyptus Marginata
COLOUR
Dark red to dark brown
CHARACTERISTICS
Unique to Western Australia, and highly regarded worldwide for its hardness, durability and resistance to fire and termites. Used for heavy-duty construction, it has a course texture that yields a rich colour after finishing.
Western Australian Marri
BOTANICAL NAME
Corymbia calophylla
COLOUR
Creamy brown to honey with black gum lines
CHARACTERISTICS
Distinctive veined appearance makes this timber popular for furniture.