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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 Carving Comments Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Distribution Overview Drying Defects Ease of Drying Environmental Profile Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Drying Rate Kiln Schedules Luster Mortising Moulding Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Natural Growth Defects Numerical Data Odor Planing Plantation species? Polishing Product Sources References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Resistance to Splitting Response to Hand Tools Routing & Recessing Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Steam Bending Strength Properties Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Veneering Qualities Scientific Name Eucalyptus globulus Trade Name Bluegum Family Name Myrtaceae Common Names Bloekom, Blue gum, Bluegum, Eucalipto, Eucalyptus, Eurabbi, Eurabbie, Fever tree, Kupoora maram, Kurpoora maram, Southern blue gum, Tasmanian blue eucalyptus, Tasmanian blue gum, Tasmanian bluegum Plantation species? Yes Regions of Distribution Africa, Latin America, North America, Oceania and S.E. Asia Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Ethiopia, Hawaii [US], India, South Africa, United States Common Uses Agricultural implements, Beams, Boat building (general), Boat building: decking, Boat building: framing, Boxes and crates, Bridge construction, Building construction, Cabin construction, Cabinetmaking, Charcoal, Chemical derivatives, Concrete formwork, Construction, Decks, Domestic flooring, Factory construction, Flooring, Flooring: commercial heavy traffic, Form work, Foundation posts, Framing, Fuelwood, Furniture, Handles: general, Heavy construction, Joinery, Joists, Ladders, Light construction, Marine construction, Mine timbers, Pallets, Parquet flooring, Piling, Plywood, Poles, Porch columns, Posts, Pulp/Paper products, Pulpwood, Railroad ties, Rough construction, Stakes, Structural plywood, Structural work, Sub-flooring, Tool handles, Toys, Turnery, Utility plywood, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative, Wharf construction, Wheel spokes, Wheels Environmental Profile Status has not been officially assessed Distribution Overview Native to the open forests of Tasmania, southern Victoria and New South Wales in Australia. It is one of the most widely cultivated of Australia's native trees. It can be found in parks and gardens in many parts of Australia and is well established overseas (eg. Algeria, Brazil, France, India, Spain and Portugal). In California it is so well known that many regard it as a native Californian species. Heartwood Color Yellow Red Brown Orange Pink Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Pale brown Pale red to pink Greenish to greyish Dark cream Brown Sapwood Color Paler than heartwood White to yellow Sapwood is considered narrow Pale cream Grayish white Grain Interlocked Wavy Straight Even Figure Spiral Closed Crossed Rippled (figure) Growth rings (figure) Interlocked Wavy Straight With distinct light and dark bands Spiral Spiral grain occasionally Rippled figure Bees wing' curl figure is fairly common. Texture Fine Medium coarse Medium Fairly open Luster Dull Slightly lustrous Lustrous Natural Growth Defects Brittleheart is often frequent and extensive Gum/resin exudation Natural Durability Durable Susceptible to insect attack Resistant to powder post beetles Non-resistant to termites Moderately durable Moderately durable Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Resistant to attack from marine borers Non durable Durable Susceptible to marine borer attack Non durable Moderately durable Durable Very durable Very durable Sapwood susceptible to attack by powder post beetles Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Perishable Perishable Moderately resistant to decay Durable Sapwood is liable to be attacked by powder-post beetles and termites. Odor No specific smell or taste Kiln Schedules UK=C US=T3C2/T3C1 Fr=3 T3-C2(4/4) US Dry at a slow speed Moisture content of 20% is recommended Drying Defects Moderate twist/warp Moderate surface checking Moderate collapse and honeycombing No collapse/honeycomb Expect slight collapse and honeycombing Slight twist/warp Moderate end spitting Slight end splitting Severe twisting/warping Ease of Drying Slowly Difficult Partial air-seasoning before kiln-drying is recommended Quartersawn stock is reported to degrade to a lesser degree Kiln Drying Rate Naturally dries slowly Tree Identification Bole/stem form is straight Tree Size Tree height is 10-20 m Tree height is 20-30 m Tree height is 30-40 m Product Sources Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good Boring Easy Carving Fairly good response to preservative treatment Cutting Resistance Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Presence of interlocked grain Possible splitting during initial stages of sawing Described as heavy Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy Cutting Resistance with green wood is difficult Gluing Easy to glue Mortising Responds well to peeling after proper softening Free of Interlocking Grain Moulding Easy to mould Movement in Service Unstable in service Prone to movement Large Nailing Easy to nail Difficult to nail Planing Torn grain is common machining defect Clear stock generally responds readily to planing operationS/There may be some grain tearing in planing material with interlocked grain, but clear stock generally responds readily to planing operations. Resistance to Impregnation Heartwood is extremely resistant Sapwood is permeable Heartwood is resistant Sapwood is treatable Sapwood is moderately resistant Heartwood is generally difficult to treat Resistance to Splitting Poor Response to Hand Tools Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work Easy to machine Difficult to machine Responds well to hand tools Moderate working qualities Routing & Recessing Clear stock is easy to work Interlocked grain may interfere with routing Sanding Easy to sand Screwing Easy to screw Turning Good results Especially good in material free from interlocked grain Veneering Qualities Easy to cut Suitable for peeling Drying degrade is moderate to severe, with collapse, buckles, and splits Steam Bending Good Polishing High polish Strength Properties Shrinkage, Tangential = large Max. crushing strength = high Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Max. crushing strength = medium Bending strength (MOR) = high Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium Hardness (side grain) = medium Density (dry weight) = 53-60 Bending strength (MOR) = medium Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = high Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high Max crushing strength (stiffness) = very high Hardness = medium Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 11840 18508 psi Density 51 lbs/ft3 Hardness 1945 lbs Impact Strength 47 inches Maximum Crushing Strength 6642 10465 psi Shearing Strength 1945 psi Stiffness 2179 2602 1000 psi Specific Gravity 0.62 Weight 50 41 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 6 % Tangential Shrinkage 10 % Volumetric Shrinkage 15 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 832 1301 kg/cm2 Density 817 kg/m3 Hardness 882 kg Impact Strength 119 cm Maximum Crushing Strength 466 735 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 136 kg/cm2 Stiffness 153 182 1000 kg/cm2 Specific Gravity 0.62 Weight 801 657 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 6 % Tangential Shrinkage 10 % References Australia - Forestry and Timber Bureau,1957,Forest Trees of Australia,Australia Interior Department, Forestry and Timber Bureau Banks, C.H., Schoeman, J.P., Otto, K.P.,1977,The Mechanical Properties of Timbers with particular reference to South,Africa,South African Forestry Research Institute Bulletin,(Ed.,Schoeman, J.P. 1973 & Otto K.P. 1976,No.48 Banks, C.H.,1954,The Mechanical Properties of Timbers with Particular Reference to those,grown in the Union of South Africa,Journal of the South African Forestry Association,No. 24 pp.44-65,[South,African Forestry Journal] Banks, C.H.,1970,The Durability of South African Wood and Wood Base Building Materials,South African Forestry Journal,No.75 Bolza, E., Keating, W.G.,1972,African Timbers - the Properties, Uses and Characteristics of 700 Species,C.S.I.R.O. Div. of Building Research 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 Chilean Forestry News,1941,Propiedades Fisicas y Mecanicas de las Maderas Chilenas,Min. de Terras y Colonizacion Chile, Dept. de Bienes Nacionales (Seccion,Bosqye, 103pp Chudnoff, M.,1984,Tropical Timbers of the World,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products,Laboratory, Madison. Dave Faison. Into the Woods. Personal Communication, 1993. Dudek, S.,1981,Lesser Known Liberian Timber Species,German Agency for Technical Cooperation Germany Elliot, C.S.,1959,Eucalyptus in Argentina,Unasylva 13(3) pp119-23 France - C.T.F.T.,1965,Note sur le sechage des bois presentant du collapse tel que Eucalyptus,globulus,C.T.F.T. Information Technique NO.219 Gamble, J.S.,1902,A Manual of Indian Timbers,Sampson Low, Marston & Co. London 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 Gutierrez Oliva, A., Plaza Pulgar, F.,1967,Caracteristicas fisico-mecanicas de las maderas Espanolas. (Physical and,mechanical properties of Spanish timbers.,Min.Agric./Dir.Gen Montes/Instituto Forestral de Investigaciones,y,Experiencias, Madrid pp102 Guyana Forest Department,1967,Recopilacion de Propiedadas mecanicas de Maderas Creciendo en,Chile,Inst. For. Chile Nota Tecnica,8 Hall, N., Et al,1970,Forest Trees of Australia,Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra Harrar, E.S.,1942,Some Physical Properties of Modern Cabinet Woods 3. Directional and Volume,Shrinkage,Tropical Woods,9(71, pp26-32 Hillis, W.E. and A.G. Brown, Editors. 1984. Eucalyptus for Wood Production. Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Academic Press, Australia. Howard, A.L.,1948,A Manual of Timbers of the World.,Macmillan & Co. Ltd. London 3rd ed. Keating, W.G., Bolza, E.,1982,Characteristics properties and uses of timbers. South East Asia, Northern,Australia and the Pacific,C.S.I.R.O. Div. Chemical Technology,Inkata Press,1 Kingston, R.S.T., Risdon, C.J.E.,1961,Shrinkage and Density of Australian and other South-West Pacific Woods,C.S.I.R.O. Division of Forest Products Technological Paper No.13 Kloot, N.H., Bolza, E.,1961,Properties of Timbers Imported into Australia,C.S.I.R.O. Forest Products Division Technological Paper,No.12 Kribs, D.A.,1950,Commercial and Foreign Woods on the American Market (a manual to their,structure, identification, uses and distribution,U.S.A. Penn. State College, Tropical Woods Laboratory Little, E.L.,1948,A Collection of Tree Specimens from Western Ecuador,Caribbean Forester,9(3,pp215-98 Logan, W.E.M.,1946,An Introduction to the Forests of Central and Southern Ethiopia,Imperial Forestry Institute, Oxford Paper No.24 Murira, K.,1984,Natural Durability Tests of Tanzanian Timbers 1955 - 1982,Tanzania Forestry Research Institute, Timber Utilisation Research Centre,,Moshi. Nation Research Council,1980,Firewood Crops Shrub and Tree Species for Energy Production,National Academy of Sciences, Washington D.C. Poynton, R.J.,1957,Notes on Exotic Forest Trees in South Africa (Second Edition, Revised,South African Forestry Department Bulletin No.38 Purkayastha, S.K.,1982,Indian woods: Their identifications, properties and uses, Vol. IV,Myrlacene to Symploceae,Controller of Publications, New Delhi Rendle, B.J.,1969,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Ernest Benn Ltd. London Sallenave, P.,1971,Proprietes Physiques et Mecaniques des Bois Tropicaux (Deuxieme,Supplement,C.T.F.T. Sao Paulo - Instituto de Pesquisas Tecnologicas,1956,Tabelas de Resultados obtidos para Madeiras Nacionais,Inst. Pesq. Tec. Sao Paulo, Brazil Bol., No.31(2nd Ed.) Scott, M.H.,1935,Weights of South African Growth Timbers,South African Department of Agriculture and Forestry Bulletin,No.145,Forest Products Institute, Forestry Series No.1 Sekhar, A.C.,1967,Some Indian Timbers Equivalent to Foreign Timbers,Van Vigyan 5(1&2,pp18-24 Shukla, N.K. and Rajput, S.S.,1983,Physical and Mechanical Properties of Eucalypts grown in India,Indian Forester 109(112) 933-43 Simpfendorfer, K.J.,1975,An Introduction to trees for South Eastern Australia,Inkata Press, Melbourne, Australia Skolmen, R.G.,1974,Some woods of Hawaii, properties and uses of 16 commercial species,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Forest,and Range Experiment Station, General Technical Report PSW_8 Streets, R.J.,1962,Exotic Forest Trees in the British Commonwealth,Clarendon Press Oxford Takahashi, A.,1978,Compilation of Data on the Mechanical Properties of Foreign Woods (Part,III) Africa,Shimane University, Japan, Research Report on Foreign Wood No. 7 The Australian Timber Journal & Building Products, Merchandiser,1969,Timber Durability and Preservation,Supplement to Australian Timber Journal 35(4) Tech. Timb. Guide No.8 Thomas, A.J.,1955,Tasmanian Woods,Forestry Department Tasmania, Bulletin No.1 Wallis, N.K. 1956. Australian Timber Handbook. Sponsored by The Timber Development Association of Australia. Angus & Robertson, Ltd., 89 Castlereagh Street, Sydney, Australia.