Products
Below are some of the timber species that VicForests harvests and how they are commonly used.
Ash species
Mountain ash (Eucalyptus regnans)
A hardwood species sourced from north-eastern Victoria that produces a beautiful blonde hardwood timber with little or no defects.
Common uses for this timber is high quality furniture pieces such as dining tables, staircases and flooring. Due to its strength, it also works well as a structural timber for roofing, doors and window frames.
Shining gum (Eucalyptus nitens)
As its name implies, Shining gum has lustrous qualities. The heartwood is a straw colour bursting with pink and yellow tints.
It is prevalent in the mountain areas of East Gippsland and south-eastern NSW as well as the northern tablelands of NSW to an altitude of 1600 metres.
Shining gum is also a popular plantation timber as it can be extremely quick growing. Timber from Shining gum has a wide range of uses, from sawn products to pulp.
Alpine ash (Eucalyptus delegatenis)
Similar to Mountain ash, this is a hardwood species found in south-eastern Victoria that produces a beautiful blonde hardwood timber with little or no defects.
Common uses for this timber is high quality furniture pieces such as dining tables, staircases and flooring. Due to its strength, it also works well as a structural timber for roofing, doors and window frames.
Mixed species
Messmate (Eucalyptus obliqua)
A well-known Australian hardwood that can be found in most forested areas in Victoria. The colour of the timber varies from pale browns to light yellows with subtle hints of peach.
With moderate hardness and strength but low durability messmate works, glues and bends easily. Most common uses for this timber are in general construction and pulp. However, when protected it is widely used in internal furniture and flooring, framing, panelling and plywood.
Mountain grey gum (Eucalyptus cypellocarpa)
A hardwood species that grows in parts of Victoria. The timber is a pale brown colour, often with pink or yellow tinges and is moderately durable.
It is mainly used for building framework, bridge and wharf construction, wheelwright work, sleepers and panelling.
Silvertop (Eucalyptus siberi)
A hardwood species that grows in eastern Victoria and produces a brown, sometimes pinkish, timber. It is moderately durable and provides good fire resistance.
It is mainly used a building material for roofs, doors and window frames but is also commonly used in flooring, furniture and high-end joinery. It is also regularly used as handles and fence posts.
Cuttail (Eucalyptus fastigata)
A hardwood species, also known as Brownbarrel, is sourced from north-eastern Victoria that projects a pale brown colour, sometimes with a hint of pink and can have a similar appearance to Messmate.
Cuttail is commonly used for internal applications as it is only of a moderate durability. This includes flooring, veneers and panelling. It can also be used for general construction in instances where it is protected from weather exposure.
For more information on timber species and their applications visit WoodSolutions