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Clicking any heading in the main data area (at right) will scroll the page back to this top position. Use the following links to jump to the associated section in the main data. Boring Comments Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Drying Defects Ease of Drying Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Drying Rate Luster Nailing Natural Durability Natural Growth Defects Numerical Data Planing Polishing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Strength Properties Texture Trade Name Tree Size Turning Scientific Name Orites excelsa Trade Name Prickly ash Family Name Proteaceae Common Names Prickly ash, Red ash, Silky oak, Southern silky oak, White beefwood Regions of Distribution Oceania and S.E. Asia Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Australia Common Uses Boat building (general), Cabinetmaking, Carvings, Cooperages, Furniture, Joinery, Paneling, Plywood, Railroad ties, Tables, Vehicle parts, Veneer Heartwood Color Brown Red Pink Red Pale brown Sapwood Color White Pink Yellow Paler than heartwood Grain Even Figure Distinct (figure) Straight Distinct figure Straight Figure shows rays Texture Medium Fine Medium to coarse Luster Medium Natural Growth Defects Whitish deposits in vessels Natural Durability Susceptible to insect attack Non-resistant to powder post beetles Perishable Non-resistant to termites Non-durable Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Moderately durable Durable Drying Defects Distortion Collapse Internal Honeycombing Possible Ease of Drying Fairly Easy Kiln Drying Rate Rapid Drying rate is fairly rapid to fast Tree Size Bole length is 10-20 m Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Tree height is 30-40 m Sapwood width is 5-10 cm Tree height is 10-20 m Tree height is 20-30 m Sapwood width is 10-15 cm Tree height is 40-50 m Bole length is 20-30 m Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good Boring Fairly easy to very easy Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Gluing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to glue Nailing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Planing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Resistance to Impregnation Resistant heartwood Resistant sapwood Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work Easy to machine Moderate working qualities Screwing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Turning Easy to turn Polishing Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Shrinkage, Tangential = large Shrinkage, Radial = very small Shrinkage, Radial = small Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Density 37 lbs/ft3 Weight 36 29 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 3 % Tangential Shrinkage 10 % Item Green Dry Metric Density 592 kg/m3 Weight 576 464 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 3 % References Anderson, R.H.,1947,The Trees of New South Wales,New South Wales Department of Agriculture Audas, J.W.,Native Trees of Australia,Whitcombe & Tombs PTY. Ltd Australia - N.S.W. Forestry Commission,1988,Furniture Timbers of New South Wales,Forest Commission, N.S.W., Aust. Tech. Publication No.1 Bootle, K.R.,1971,The Commercial Timbers of New South Wales and their use,Angus & Robertson (publishers) PTY Ltd Francis, W.D.,1951,Australian Rain-forest Trees,Commonwealth of Australia - Forestry and Timber Bureau