Blackwood
A slow growing Acacia species preferring high annual rainfall and deep clay loam soils. Intensive silvicultural and site requirements required for successful establishment.
Blackwood |
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Botanical name |
Acacia melanoxylon |
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Growth rate in preferred conditions |
Slow |
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Estimated rotation length (yr) in preferred conditions to produce 60cm diameter at breast height |
35+ |
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Preferred annual rainfall (mm/yr) |
1200+ |
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Minimum rainfall (mm/yr) |
1000+ |
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Preferred elevation (m) asl |
0-1000 |
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Preferred landscape position |
Cool moist valley |
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Preferred Soil |
Deep, clay loam |
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Prohibitive soil |
Duplex and/or heavy clay |
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Poor drainage tolerance |
Low |
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Dry site tolerance |
Low |
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Frost tolerance |
Moderate to high |
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Pest and disease problems: |
Longicorn borers |
Timber Characteristics1 |
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Strength: seasoned timber only |
SD4: moderate |
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Durability1: in ground | above ground |
3 | 3 |
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Drying: green to 12% moisture content |
Easy to dry with minimal checking and negligible collapse. Shrinkage very low at about 1.5% radial and 4% tangential. |
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Main commercial products |
Panelling, internal flooring, veneers, internal joinery, high quality furniture |
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Bushfire resistance2: measured by Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) |
BAL 12.5 and 19 – door and window joinery only |
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Least attractive features |
Need fertile soils and regular high rainfall. Slow growth. Tendency to branch vigorously. Requires intensive silviculture, particularly regular pruning and thinning. |
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Most attractive features |
Excellent timber to work. Universally regarded as an excellent interior feature timber. |
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Status as a plantation species in Gippsland |
Considerable interest in establishment as a plantation species. However intensive silvicultural and site requirements act as a deterrent. |
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1 Based on Australian Standard: Timber Natural durability ratings. AS 5604-2005. Refer to Appendix for explanatory table. Where (?) applied, rating is based on field experience. 2 Naturally bushfire resisting timbers are those with inherent bushfire resisting properties. For more information refer to Australian Standard 3959:2018. |
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Assumptions and notes:
- Sites considered for planting contain at least 1 metre of soil above an impeding layer (e.g. bedrock or layer impenetrable to roots.)
- Please note that most (if not all) eucalypts in Gippsland grow best on sheltered sites.
- Overall slow drying time across air and kiln dried schedules is recommended to minimise drying degrade. This is the best starting point for inexperienced operators.
Beadle, C.L. and Brown, A.G. (eds) 2007. Acacia Utilisation and Management: Adding Value. RIRDC Publication No. 07/095, Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, Canberra.
Boland, D.J. et. al (1992). Forest Trees of Australia. CSIRO Australia.
Bootle, K.R. (1983). Wood in Australia – Types, properties and uses. McGraw Hill, Australia
Carnegie, A.J. (2002). Field Guide to Common Pests and Diseases in Eucalypt Plantations in NSW. Research and Development Division of State Forests, NSW.
Clarke, B., McLeod, I. and Vercoe, T (eds) 2009. Trees for farm forestry: 22 Promising Species. RIRDC Publication No. 09/015. Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, Canberra.
http://www.rajalaut.com/download/AS%205604-2005%20Timber%20-%20Natural%20durability%20ratings.pdf
https://www.nzffa.org.nz/farm-forestry-model/species-selection-tool/species/cypress/macrocarpa/
https://www.nzffa.org.nz/system/assets/2056/Eucalypt_Information_Note_1_-_Choosing_eucalypts.pdf
https://www.nzffa.org.nz/farm-forestry-model/species-selection-tool/species/redwood/coast-redwood/
https://www.utas.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/511553/Silverwattle.pdf
Mortimer, J. (2003). A selection of alternative timbers. Taitua Books, NZ.
National Association of Forest Industries (2004). Timber Species and Properties (Revised edition). Timber Manual Datafile P1
Nicholas, I.D., Gifford, H.H., and Kimberely, M.O. (1997). Siting Black Walnut. FRI Bulletin no. 188
Phillips, C. (1996). Insects, Diseases and Deficiencies associated with Eucalypts in South Australia. Primary Industries SA Forests.
Poole, B., Waugh, G. and Yang, J.L. (2017). Potential for growing and processing durable eucalypts in New Zealand. Publication No. SWP-T036. Solid Wood Innovation. Specialty Wood Products Research Partnership.
Reid, R. (2017). Heartwood. The art and science of growing trees for conservation and profit. Melbourne Books.
Tepper, C. J. (2002). Plantation Eucalypt species for solid wood products – a profile of Eucalyptus muelleriana. Gottstein Fellowship Report for the Gottstein Memorial Trust
Tepper, C.J. (2008). Site Matching and Establishing Eucalypt Sawlog Species in Southern Australia In. Beadle, C.L. and Brown, A.G. (eds) 2008. Plantation Eucalypts for High Value Timber. RIRDC Publication No. 08/113, Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, Canberra.