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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. Comments Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Distribution Overview Drying Defects Ease of Drying Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Drying Rate Kiln Schedules Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Polishing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Sapwood Color Scientific Name Staining Steam Bending Strength Properties Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Veneering Qualities Scientific Name Agathis palmerstonii Trade Name Australian agathis Family Name Araucariaceae Common Names Australian agathis, Kauri, North Queensland kauri, North Queensland kauri pine, Northern kauri, Queensland kauri, Queensland kauri pine Regions of Distribution Oceania and S.E. Asia Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Australia Common Uses Boxes and crates, Cabinetmaking, Flooring, Food containers, Furniture, Joinery, Matches, Musical instruments, Paneling, Plywood, Turnery, Vats Distribution Overview Found in Australia, in two disjunct areas: one in S Queensland between Tewantin and Maryborough (mainland) and on Fraser Island Heartwood Color Brown Red White Pink Black Pale brown White to cream Pale red to pink Dark brown Brown Sapwood Color Green/Grey Red Brown White Color not distinct from heartwood Grain Even Figure Straight Other (figure) Rays (figure) Straight Rays figure Other figures are possible or common Texture Fine Fine Natural Durability Non-durable Susceptible to insect attack Perishable Resistant to powder post beetles Non-resistant to termites Resistant to termites Non durable Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Moderately resistant to termite (Isoptera) attack Kiln Schedules Drying (speed) is fast Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is fairly rapid Dry at a moderate speed Drying Defects Collapse Internal Honeycombing Possible Slight collapse and honeycomb Ease of Drying Fairly Easy Rapidly Slowly Easy Kiln Drying Rate Naturally dries quickly Rapid Drying rate is fairly rapid to fast Naturally dries at a moderate speed Rapid (<10 days for boards < 32 mm, to <30 days for boards >= 63 mm) Tree Identification Bole/stem form is cylindrical Tree Size Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Bole length is 30-40 m Tree height is 40-50 m Tree height is 30-40 m Tree height is 50-60 m Bark width is 15-20 mm Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm Trunk diameter is 300-350 cm Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good Gluing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to glue Nailing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Holds nails well Easy to nail Resistance to Impregnation Permeable sapwood Sapwood is permeable Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Easy to machine Veneering Qualities Veneers easily Veneers moderately easy Suitable for peeling No drying degrade No drying degrade. Dries flat without splitting Easy to cut Steam Bending Fair to Good Results Moderate Polishing Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Good results Staining Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Finish is generally good Strength Properties Bending strength (MOR) = low Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Max. crushing strength = medium Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low Max. crushing strength = low Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft. Shrinkage, Tangential = small Shrinkage, Radial = small Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Hardness (side grain) = very soft Density (dry weight) = 15-22 lbs/cu. ft. Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 6111 9589 psi Density 28 lbs/ft3 Hardness 319 lbs Maximum Crushing Strength 3206 5405 psi Shearing Strength 1107 psi Stiffness 1131 1321 1000 psi Weight 27 24 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 3 % Tangential Shrinkage 6 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 429 674 kg/cm2 Density 448 kg/m3 Hardness 144 kg Maximum Crushing Strength 225 380 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 77 kg/cm2 Stiffness 79 92 1000 kg/cm2 Weight 432 384 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 3 % References Boas, I.H.,1947,The Commercial Timbers of Australia - Their Properties and Uses,Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Melbourne Bolza, E., Kloot, N.H.,1963,The Mechanical Properties of 174 Australian Timbers,C.S.I.R.O. Division of Forest Products Technological Paper,No.25 Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World, No. 8 Australasia,TRADA, Red Booklet Series Clifford, N.,1957,Timber Identification for the Builder and Architect,Leonard Hill (Books) LTD. London Dadswell, H.E., Eckersley, A.M.,1935,The Identification of the Principal Commercial Australian Timbers other,than eucalyptus,Australian C.S.I.R.O. Bulletin NO.90 Dallimore, W. and Jackson, A. Bruce,1966,A Handbook of Coniferae and Ginkgoaceae Fourth Ed. Revised by S.G.,Harrison,Edward Arnold (Publishers) Ltd. London Forest Products Research Laboratory U.K.,1957,A Handbook of Softwoods,Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Forest Products Research,HMSO Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1945,A Handbook of Empire Timbers,Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Forest Products Research Forestry Commission of New South Wales,1987,Timbers used in New South Wales for Domestic Buildings,Forestry Commission of New South Wales, Technical Publication No.6 Gay, F.J., Et al,1955,Standard laboratory colonies of termites for evaluating the resistance of,timber, timber preservatives and other materials to termite attack.,C.S.I.R.O., Australia Bulletin,No.277 Hall, N., Et al,1972,The use of trees and shrubs in the dry country of Australia,Australian Government, Department of National Development, Forest and,Timber Bureau, Canberra Howard, A.L.,1948,A Manual of Timbers of the World.,Macmillan & Co. Ltd. London 3rd ed. I.U.F.R.O.,1973,Veneer Species of the World,Assembled at F.P.L. Madison on behalf of I.U.F.R.O. Working Party on,Slicing and Veneer Cutting Kloot, N.H., Bolza, E.,1961,Properties of Timbers Imported into Australia,C.S.I.R.O. Forest Products Division Technological Paper,No.12 Patterson, D.,1988,Commercial Timbers of the World, 5th Edition,Gower Technical Press Stewart, A.M., Kloot, N.H.,1957,Mechanical Properties of Timbers,C.S.I.R.O., Australia Bulletin,No.279 The Australian Timber Journal & Building Products, Merchandiser,1969,Timber Durability and Preservation,Supplement to Australian Timber Journal 35(4) Tech. Timb. Guide No.8