> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://ms-kb.msd.unimelb.edu.au/machine-workshop/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://ms-kb.msd.unimelb.edu.au/machine-workshop/machinery-materials/materials/timber/timber-species.md).

# Timber Species

## Victorian Ash - VIC Australia

![Figure 1. Living Styles. 2020.](/files/-M4RezLCdvl8CAvXkpCh)

#### Workability and common applications

* Overall, easy to work with hand tools and machinery 

* Glues, turns, and finishes well

* Used for veneer, plywood, turned objects, joinery and furniture

* Also used in construction, flooring and framing

* Used for veneer, plywood, turned objects, joinery and furniture.

* Also used in construction, flooring and framing

**Suppliers and pricing per meter**

* Britton Timbers

* Mathew's Timber

* Timber Lord  

* General cost per meter
  * 25x150 - $14.00
  * 38x150 - $23.00
  * 50x150 - $40.00

## Tasmanian Oak -  TAS Australia

![Figure 2. Lemon, Chelsea. Chelsea Lemon Design. 2016.](/files/-M4Rd_v90evYluVmz4yv)

#### Workability and common applications

* Overall, easy to work with hand tools and machinery 

* Glues, turns, and finishes well

* Used for veneer, plywood, turned objects, joinery and furniture

* Also used in construction, flooring and framing

* Used for veneer, plywood, turned objects, joinery and furniture.

* Also used in construction, flooring and framing

**Suppliers and pricing per meter**

* Urban Salvage

* Mathew's Timber

* Britton Timbers

* Timber Lord

* General cost per meter
  * 25x150 - $13.00
  * 25x200 - $14.00
  * 38x150 - $22.00

## Blackbutt - NSW, QLD Australia

![Figure 3. Lacewood. 2020.](/files/-M4R_BOp6_rfwG2rjMfr)

#### Workability and common applications

* Machines well

* Does not react well to steam bending

* Can be prone to gum veins, pockets and surface checking

* Versatile timber, strong and durable

* Fire resistant

* Ideal for structural applications e.g. framework construction, flooring, cladding or fencing

* Also used in joinery and furniture

**Suppliers and pricing per meter**

* Britton Timbers

* Mathew's Timber

* Urban Salvage

* Timber Lord

* General cost per meter
  * 25x150 - $25.00
  * 38x150 - $38.00
  * 50x150 - $51.00

## Jarrah - WA Australia

![Figure 4. Street, Dave, Viv. Ironwood Studio. 1992.](/files/-M4R_bNLRuJOvWaHOwmG)

#### Workability and common applications

* Difficult to machine due to high density, coarse texture and interlocked grain

* Moderate blunting effect on cutting edges

* Very durable as and highly resistant to termite/insect attack

* Glues and finishes well

* Ok to steam bend

* Great for outdoor applications

* Also used in joinery and furniture

* Prized for turning with tight knots, swirling gran and rich colours. Used in flooring, veneer and cabinetry

**Suppliers and pricing per meter**

* Timber Lord

* Britton Timbers

* General cost per meter
  * 25x150 - $13.00
  * 25x200 - $19.00
  * 38x150 - $21.00
  * 38x200 - $31.00

## Tasmanian Blackwood - TAS Australia  

![Figure 5. Coglan, James. ExLab. 2019.](/files/-M4RjPBjJ4DG3FkAQSo5)

#### Workability and common applications

* Overall, easy to work with hand tools and machine.

* Glues, turns, carves, and finishes well.

* Great for steam bending

* Important that safety precautions are taken when sanding, as the wood dust can cause irritations.

* Not ideal for external applications – low durability

* Ideal for making furniture and joinery, internal veneers and paneling.

**Suppliers and pricing per meter**

* Britton Timbers

* General cost per meter
  * 25x150 - $17.00
  * 38x150 - $30.00

## Spotted Gum - NSW, QLD Australia

![Figure 6. Markowitz, Adam. Markowitz Design. 2015. ](/files/-M4RYtdMGQ6SozFGyYHv)

#### Workability and common applications

* Overall, is easy to work with hand tools and machine

* Attractive fiddle-back appearance

* Great fire resistant rating, strength and resilience

* One of the most widely available recycled timber in Australia today

* Best used as structural and external applications, e.g. wharfs, framing, flooring, decking and cladding

* Can also used in joinery and furniture

**Suppliers and pricing per meter**

* Mathew's Timber

## Cypress - VIC, NSW, QLD Australia

![Figure 7. Outdoor Furniture Online. 2017. ](/files/-M4RZ6deSPpT8MQY1L7X)

#### Workability and common applications

* Reasonably hard timber

* Can be satisfactorily machined and turned to a smooth finish

* Special techniques, such as surface roughening, are required for gluing

* Great for outdoor use, usually used in framework construction, flooring, cladding or for fencing oyster stakes and jetty piles in low-salinity environments, as well as beehives. 

* Not as often used in indoor applications but ok for furniture, turnery, joinery, carving, parquetry and linings

**Suppliers**

* Bowens

## Jelutong - Asia Pacific 

![Figure 8. Kaptein, Paul. My Modern MET. 2019. ](/files/-M4RZCGJyMiZXyEEumPb)

#### Workability and common applications

* Vow density rating lends itself to ease of workability

* Plain grain and fine texture make it extremely popular with carvers and pattern-makers

* Very easy to turn and carve

* Used for architectural models, drawing boards, picture frames, wooden shoes (clogs), furniture parts, doorknobs, dowels and pencils 

**Suppliers and pricing per meter**

* Britton Timbers - prices as of Feb 2019

* Timber Lord

* General cost per meter
  * 25x300 - $26.00
  * 38x300 - $39.00
  * 50x300 - $51.00
  * 75x150 - $39.00

## American Walnut - North America

![Figure 9. Inoda, Svedje. Inoda + Sveje Design. 2014. ](/files/-M4RZG4mT_LO2_1Rb0a2)

#### Workability and common applications

* Works easily with hand and machine tools

* Glues well

* Can be polished to an exceptional finish

* Good for steam bending

* Dark heartwood will lighten over time with exposure to UV light

* Used in high end furniture, cabinet making, architectural interiors, joinery, doors, flooring and paneling,

**Suppliers and pricing per meter**

* Mathew's timber
* Britton Timbers
* Timber Lord
  * 25x150 - $26.00
  * 38x150 - $41.00
  * 38x200 - $55.00
  * 50x150 - $58.00

## American Maple / Rock Maple - North America

![Figure 10. Li, Grant, ExLab. 2019.](/files/-M4RZh-PmqHPP93e3Hn7)

#### Workability and common applications

* Dries slowly with a large shrinkage, so can be susceptible to movement

* Very hard with a tight smooth grain, with care it machine fine

* Turns well, glues fine and can be polished to an outstanding finish

* Good for steam bending

* The lighter coloured sapwood tends to darken over time with exposure to the UV light.

* Used in Furniture, paneling, kitchen cabinets, workshops and table tops, interior joinery, architectural features. 

* Hard wearing properties make this timber ideal for high traffic applications

**Suppliers and pricing per meter**

* Mathew's timber

* Britton Timbers

* Timber Lord

* General cost per meter
  * 25x150 - $17.00
  * 38x150 - $30.00
  * 50x150 - $45.00

## White Oak - North America

![Figure 11. Crowe, Duncan. ExLab. 2019.](/files/-M4RZsP2oyLPacl7HZ99)

#### Workability and common applications

* A hard and heavy wood, with low stiffness and medium crushing and bending strength.

* Resulting in extremely good steam bending properties

* Easy to machine, glue and finish

* As a slow-drying wood has a high shrinkage rate, making it prone to checking and susceptible to some movement.

* Used in making of vats for spirits and wine

* In Australia is mostly used for flooring, joinery and furniture

**Suppliers and pricing per meter**

* Urban Salvage

* Mathew's timber

* Britton Timbers

* Timber Lord

* General cost per meter
  * 25x150 - $15.00
  * 38x150 - $31.00
  * 50x150 - $48.00

## American Ash - North America

![Figure 12. Turtle, Sophia. ExLab. 2019.](/files/-M4R_0Dgqxd1N-SpJ4Sr)

#### Workability and common applications

* Ok to steam bend

* Fine outdoors as highly durable to external factors

* Highly workable, takes to glue well and polishes to a very high finish.

* Responds well to steam bending

* Excellent woodturning timber

* Versatile timber used in a range of interior applications, e.g. flooring, furniture, joinery, mouldings, sports equipment etc.

* Available as a thermally modified to be suitable in outdoor applications e.g. cladding and decking

**Suppliers and pricing per meter**

* Mathew's Timber

* Britton 

* Timber Lord

* General cost per meter
  * 25x150 - $14.00
  * 38x150 - $22.00
  * 50x150 - $31.00
  * 75x150 - $57.00

## Pine

![Figure 13. Traylen, Alex. ExLab. 2019.](/files/-M4R_oNZTTtFUaVliESy)

#### Workability and common applications

* Pine can be worked easily by hand or machine

* Lightweight, straight, grained and lacks figure often with knots.

* Pine grows very fast therefore is a more sustainable timber option

* Very cheap

* Usually used in building and construction, prototyping, mould making, wood and paper pulp, masts and poles and other construction needs. 

**Suppliers and pricing per meter**

* Bunnings
  * Standard construction pine sold at set lengths (not per meter)
  * Prices ranging between $4 for 1.2m, and $37 for 2.4 in different widths and thicknesses

## Reclaimed Timber

![Figure 14. Recycled Timber Furniture. 2020. ](/files/-M4RaBndFVY7w0Un40Bx)

#### Workability and common applications

* Properties subjective to type of species
* Often have many defects e.g. screw holes, staining, nail holes
* Be aware nails may left in timber therefore material cannot be machined
* Most sustainable timber option

**Suppliers and pricing per meter**

* Urban Salvage
* Timber Revival 
* Prices will vary