Timber Species Range

Learn more about timber species. Find out all you want to know by clicking on the images below. Looking for a specific species not listed? Please let us know.






















Accoya

Accoya

Pinus Radiata

Modified wood by process of acetylation. Class 1 Durability-terrific dimensional stability this is the Timber of Tomorrow. Process changes timbers cell structure so it loses ability to absorb moisture thereby making it very durable and far more stable than most timbers. FSC & PEFC Accredited, 100% Recyclable, Non Toxic.

Applications

Cladding, Construction, Decking, Joinery

Availability

Thickness: 25mm, 38mm & 50mm
Widths: 150mm & wider

African Mahogany

African Mahogany

Khaya Ivorensis

A tall hardwood from Ghana (Africa) - a true mahogany. Heartwood ranges from light pink to reddish brown with sapwood being yellow-brown. Its texture is coarse and it has a distinctive highly figured grain. It is cut in numerous ways resulting in plain, ribbon, fiddleback and swirly grain results. It nails, screws and glues well and polishes nicely to show off its lustrous qualities.

Applications

Boat Building, Cabinetry, Furniture, Panelling

Availability

Thickness: 25mm, 38mm & 50mm
Widths: 100mm & wider

American Black Walnut

American Black Walnut

Juglans Nigra

Grows abundantly in the east half of America except for northern areas. Heartwood varies from grey-brown to chocolate with the sapwood grey-white. Grain varies from plain to highly figured. The wood is moderately heavy, hard and strong and has good shock resistant properties. Walnut works well with hand or machine tools and finishes beautifully when polished. Black Walnut is considered the Aristocrat of the fine cabinetwoods.

Applications

Furniture, Joinery

Availability

Thickness: 25mm, 38mm & 50mm
Widths: 100mm & wider

American Cherry

American Cherry

Primus Serotina

A hardwood of Canada and North America from deciduous forest areas which looks similar in appearance to Euro Cherry. The heartwood ranges from reddish brown to red and the timber has a natural close grain and striking grain pattern when backsawn as it is for the furniture trade. It works easily with little blunting for tools and nails, glues, stains and polishes well. Its striking regal grain Cherry is often used in quality areas.

Applications

Furniture

Availability

Thickness: 25mm, 38mm & 50mm
Widths: 100mm & wider

American Hard Maple

American Hard Maple

Acer Saccharum

Known as Rock Maple or Hard Maple this very striking timber. Is fine and even with fine brown lines which give an attractive growth ring figure on plain sawn surfaces. The timber is a pale cream-white colour with a pinkish tinge. It is a very hard wearing timber with high resistab=nce to abrasion and wear. Sharp tools are required-otherwise it stains, glues and polishes satisfactorily.

Applications

Cabinetry, Flooring, Furniture, Joinery, Panelling

Availability

Thickness: 25mm, 38mm & 50mm
Widths: 100mm & wider

American Red Alder

American Red Alder

Alnus Rubra

Red Alder is light brown in colour with a reddish tinge. It is the most common hardwood in the Northwest of the USA. It machines, polishes & turns well. It is used in the USA as an alternative to Cherry.

Applications

Furniture, Joinery

Availability

Thickness: 25mm, 38mm & 50mm
Widths: 125mm & wider

American White Ash

American White Ash

Fraxinus Americana

A large hardwood of Canada and America-similar to Euro Ash. The heartwood is white-brown in colour sometimes streaked with both. It is generally fairly straight grained, coarse and of even texture. Is shows strong figure due to prominent growth rings. White Ash polishes, turns, stains and glues well.

Applications

Boat Building, Cabinetry, Flooring, Furniture, Joinery

Availability

Thickness: 25mm, 38mm & 50mm
Widths: 100mm & wider

American White Oak

American White Oak

Quercus Alba

Indigenous to East USA & Sth east Canada-very similar to European Oak the heartwood is pale yellow to mid brown with the sapwood white. Oak has straight grain and a coarse texture due to a ring-porous structure. It has conspicuous growth figure on flat sawn surfaces and silver grain figure when quarter cut. American Oak machines and moulds, stains and polishes with good results and can be bent after steaming in knot free state.
*** AVAILABLE IN FSC CERTIFIED ***

Applications

Flooring, Furniture, Joinery, Panelling, Staircases, Veneer/Panels

Availability

Thickness: 25mm, 38mm & 50mm
Widths: 150mm & wider

Amoora

Amoora

Amoora SPP

Asian hardwood, also known as Bekak. Dark red colour with sapwood tending to straw colour. Machines & works well & is a very stable timber.

Applications

Flooring, Furniture, Joinery

Availability

Thickness: 25mm, 38mm & 50mm
Widths: 150mm & wider

Arakaria

Arakaria

Aracicaria Cunninghamii

Northern softwood from northern New South Wales & Queensland – Plantation Grown. The heartwood ranges from pale yellow to light brown with the sapwood being at times almost white. It is straight grained and fine and even in texture. Arakaria glues well and is easy to work. Its knots however do not machine as easily as Radiata Pine. It has been described as the Premier softwood of Australia-a mixture between Kauri and Radiata Pine.
Janka Hardness Rating 3.4
Durability : Class 4

Applications

Furniture, Joinery, Veneer/Panels

Availability

Thickness: 25mm, 38mm & 50mm
Widths: 150mm & 200mm

Baltic Pine

Baltic Pine

Picea Abies

A softwood also known as Whitewood from various Northern European countries. Baltic Pine has a pale yellowish colour with small tight knots. The sapwood and heartwood are not very different to each other and the timber is lightweight. Baltic works well with sharp tools and gives a good clean finish. Nails, glues and takes all finishes well.

Applications

Cabinetry, Flooring, Panelling

Availability

Thickness: 25mm, 38mm & 50mm
Widths: 150mm

Blackbutt

Blackbutt

Eucalyptus Pilularis

A large hardwood in abundance in coastal forests from Sth NSW to Queensland. Also available in plantation grown material from New Zealand. The heartwood is normally pale brown and the sapwood is distinctly paler. Blackbutt’s heartwood is very durable and has good strength. It can be hard to work but a good finish can be achieved after sanding. If laminating care should be taken to use appropriate glues.

Applications

Cladding, Construction, Flooring, Furniture, Joinery, Staircases

Availability

Thickness: 25mm, 38mm & 50mm
Widths: 100mm, 150mm, 200mm, 250mm & 300mm

Blackwood

Blackwood

Acacia Melanoxylon

A native of Tasmania and Victoria mainly the heartwood varies from golden honey through to dark brownish with some streaking at times. Sapwood is straw coloured. Grain can sometimes be interlocked but it has a fine texture. Care should be taken to work with the grain but Blackwood turns and machines well and nails and glues easily. Considered by many craftsmen to be the finest of our native furniture timbers.

Applications

Flooring, Furniture, Wood Turning

Availability

Thickness: 25mm, 38mm & 50mm
Widths: 75mm, 100mm, 125mm & 150mm

Brush Box

Brush Box

Tristania Conferta

A huge hardwood from coastal NSW AND Queensland. The heartwood ranges from rich red-brown to pinkish grey with the sapwood being distinctly paler. Brushbox’s tecture is fine and even though its grain is often interlocked. It is usually free of gum vein. It is hard on tools due to it being very dense and hard and the presence Of silica dulls machinery. Care when gluing is required as the timber is waxy and will not take some adhesives.

Applications

Cabinetry, Cladding, Flooring, Furniture, Panelling, Veneer/Panels

Availability

Thickness: 25mm, 38mm & 50mm
Widths: 150mm, 200mm & 300mm

Bubinga

Bubinga

Guibourtia Demeusei

Also known as African Rosewood out of Cameroon, Gabon and Zaire {Africa} Bubinga wood is medium red-brown with lighter red to purple veining and its texture is moderately coarse to even. It works easily with hand or machine tools although interlocked grain can cause tearing. Cutting edges must be kept sharp. Bubinga stains nicely and pre-boring before nailing is recommended.

Applications

Cabinetry, Furniture

Availability

Thickness: 25mm, 38mm & 50mm
Widths: 150mm & wider

Clear Pine

Clear Pine

Pinus Radiata

Heartwood is light brown while the sapwood is a paler yellowish white. It is clear of knot.

Applications

Joinery, Flooring, Linings, Staircases, Furniture

Availability

Thickness: 25mm, 38mm & 50mm
Widths: 100mm, 150mm, 200mm, 250mm & 300mm
Squares: 75mm x 75mm & 100mm x 100mm

European Beech

European Beech

Fagus Sylvatica

One of the most used commercial timbers in the world which grows throughout Europe across to Asia. Original Beech is whitish to light brown in colour. It is common practice to steam Beech which gives a more consistent pinkish colour. It is straight-grained and the grain has a fleck in it not unlike Oak. It is moderately hard on tools but glues and stains easily. Beech may require buzzing as it is often not flat and square on arrival from the mill.
Janka Hardness Rating 6.4.
***FSC Certified material is available ***

Applications

Cabinetry, Flooring, Joinery, Veneer/Panels

Availability

Thickness: 25mm, 38mm & 50mm
Widths: 100mm & wider

European Oak

European Oak

Quercus SPP

Also known as French & English Oak, it is a much sought after timber. It can blunt tools while working but still works reasonably easy. It shows more broad rays than other oaks and has been used for centuries for fine cabinetry.

Applications

Flooring, Furniture, Joinery

Availability

Thickness: 25mm, 38mm & 50mm
Widths: 100mm & wider

Fijian Mahogany

Fijian Mahogany

Swietenia Macrophylla

A true mahogany from Fiji and the Pacific Region. PLANTATION GROWN the heartwood ranges from pinkish to pale red, becoming darker on exposure. The sapwood is light pink to yellow brown. The grain is wavy to interlocked and its texture is fairly even. Fijian Mahogany saws and machines easily with occasional furriness. It is an economical alternative to its more expensive cousins (Brazilian and Honduras Mahogany).

Applications

Furniture, Joinery, Wood Turning

Availability

Thickness: 25mm, 38mm & 50mm
Widths: 150mm & wider

Geronggang

Geronggang

Cratoxylon Arborescens

Asian hardwood, similar in properties to Meranti. Ranges in colour from light pink to a deeper red. A very stable & light weight timber.

Applications

Internal applications, Boat Building, Joinery

Availability

Thickness: 25mm, 38mm & 50mm
Widths: 150mm & wider

Iroko

Iroko

Chlorophora Excelsa

Grown in West and East Africa, Iroko ranges from golden-orange to brown in colour. It is not unlike Teak in appearance, is fairly durable and machines fairly well with machine and hand tools . It nails and screws well, glues satisfactorily and an excellent finish can generally be obtained using Iroko.

Applications

Furniture, Joinery

Availability

Thickness: 25mm, 38mm & 50mm
Widths: 150mm & wider

Ironbark Red/Grey

Ironbark Red/Grey

Eucalyptus Paniculata

Large tough Hardwood from the coastal regions of Eastern Australia a close relative of Jarrah and known the world over for its durability. The heartwood of both species can vary. Grey pale to chocolate brown sapwood is yellow- white. Red – grey to dark red with sapwood pale yellow. Due to high density and interlocking grain both Ironbarks are hard to work – very hard on tooling. Janka Hardness Rating 13-14. Ideal for heavy construction and exterior applications

Applications

Cladding, Decking, Flooring, Furniture, Staircases

Availability

Thickness: 25mm, 38mm & 50mm
Widths: 100mm & wider

Jarrah

Jarrah

Eucalyptus Mareinata

Found only in Western Australia Jarrah varies in colour in heartwood from pinkish to dark red depending on the age of the timber which darkens with time. The grain is usually straight but can at times be interlocking and the timber can contain gum veins or pockets. It machines relatively well and polishes easily. A durable not easily bruised hardwood of Australia. Janka Hardness Rating 8.5

Applications

Construction, Furniture, Joinery, Panelling, Staircases

Availability

Thickness: 25mm, 38mm & 50mm
Widths: 100mm, 125mm, 150mm & 200mm

Jelutong

Jelutong

Dyera Costulata

A straight grained softwood with a medium to fine texture. It works very easily with both hand & machine tools.

Applications

Carving & Sculpting

Availability

Thickness: 25mm, 38mm & 50mm
Widths: 150mm & wider

Kauri

Kauri

Agathis SPP

A medium to large tree which grows on valley bottoms and coastal range slopes from Pacific Islands and Sth East Asia. Kauri varies in colour from pale-yellow brown to pinkish brown. It has a plain appearance and fine even texture. Small rays sometimes give a flecked appearance. It is easy to saw & machine, turns easily and finishes nicely.

Applications

Decking, Furniture, Joinery

Availability

Thickness: 25mm, 38mm & 50mm
Widths: 150mm, 200mm, 250mm & 300mm

Merbau

Merbau

Intsia Palembanica

A giant hardwood from the islands of Indonesia, Phillipines, Madagascar and Malaysia. The heartwood is yellow-brown when fresh sawn, becoming dark-red brown on exposure. Merbau’s texture is even but coarse and the grain is often interlocked. It has high crushing strength and good exterior durability. has a blunting effect on cutters and gum can tend to collect on saws. Pre boring when nailing is necessary. It can be stained, glued and polished but requires some filling. Merbau holds screws well.

Applications

Cladding, Construction, Decking, Flooring, Furniture, Joinery, Panelling, Screening, Staircases, Veneer/Panels

Availability

Thickness: 25mm, 38mm & 50mm, 75mm & 100mm
Widths: Various
Posts: 125mm x 125mm & 150mm x 150mm

New Guinea Rosewood

New Guinea Rosewood

Pterocarpus Indicus

Grows throughout Sth East Asia, New Guinea and the Solomons. The tree grows on coastal lowlands and mountain slopes. Heartwood varies from blood red to golden brown-can be like Blackwood in light coloured pieces. Rosewood can get purple streaks through boards-this is considered a feature of this timber. NG Rosewood is Class 1 Durability and is used in the northern states of Australia for exterior joinery especially. Ribbon or flame-like figure can be found wavy grained boards. Janka Hardness Rating 4.7

Applications

Furniture, Joinery

Availability

Thickness: 25mm, 38mm & 50mm
Widths: 75mm & wider

New Zealand Beech

New Zealand Beech

Nothofagus Menziesii

Also known as Southland Beech this is a medium sized hardwood from the heavy rainfall areas of the north and south islands of New Zealand. Heartwood is pink to reddish whilst sapwood is pale grey. The grain is generally straight and the texture is fine and even. NZ Beech works and turns easily and glues well. Excellent finishes can be obtained after polishing.
***FSC Certified material is available***

Applications

Furniture, Joinery, Veneer/Panels

Availability

Thickness: 25mm, 38mm, 50mm & 100mm
Widths: 100mm, 150mm & 200mm

Padauk

Padauk

Pterocarpus Soyauxii

Colour can vary from reddish brown to pale pinkish orange. Timber darkens naturally with age. Padauk works easily but there can be some tear out due to the interlocking grain. It is a very stable timber.

Applications

Flooring, Musical Instruments, Furniture, Handles, Joinery

Availability

Thickness: 25mm, 38mm & 50mm
Widths: 150mm & 200mm

Purpleheart

Purpleheart

Peltogyne Pubescens

A heavy timber from Central and South America the heartwood is a uniform purplish-brown colour. A mixture of straight and interlocked grain produces a striped appearance at times. It can be difficult to work – best results are achieved running machine slowly. Spirit finish removes the purple colour, lacquer preserves the colour.

Applications

Boat Building, Cabinetry, Construction, Flooring, Furniture

Availability

Thickness: 25mm, 38mm & 50mm
Widths: Various

Queensland Maple

Queensland Maple

Flindersia Brayleyana

A large hardwood on Northern Queensland the heartwood ranges from pink to mid brown, the sapwood being distinctly paler. Its texture is medium and even and occasional interlocked grain causes striped or fiddleback figure. It glues and nails well and is generally easy to work.

Applications

Cabinetry, Furniture, Joinery, Panelling, Veneer/Panels

Availability

Thickness: 25mm, 38mm & 50mm
Widths: 100mm & wider

Red Gum

Red Gum

Eucalyptus Camaldulensis

A hardwood found next to most inland rivers of Australia. Red Gum’s heartwood is red to red-brown, sapwood-paler. Its texture is relatively fine and even though interlocking grain can occur. Gum Veins, sometimes large and deep are considered a feature of the timber. Red Gum turns and machines well with very sharp tooling. Care should be taken when joining to use an appropriate glue.

Applications

Benchtops, Cabinetry, Furniture, Joinery, Wood Turning

Availability

Thickness: 25mm, 38mm & 50mm
Widths: 100mm, 150mm & 200mm

Sapele

Sapele

Entandrophragma Cylindricum

Sometimes known as Sapele mahogany, it is widely used as a substitute for genuine mahoganies. Heartwood is a golden to dark reddish brown but will darken with age.

Applications

Flooring, Furniture, Boat Building, Joinery

Availability

Thickness: 25mm, 38mm & 50mm
Widths: 100mm & wider

Silky Oak

Silky Oak

Cardwellia Sublimis

From the eastern Australia in areas with rainfall of 1100-1600mm annually. Has also been planted in Hawaii, Sri Lanka and Western Samoa. The heartwood is orange-brown and the texture is medium to coarse with straight to wavy grain. Broad rays and dark and light colour banding in the growth rings produce attractive igure with a flecked grain similar to European Beech and American Oak. Silky Oak is easy to work and machines well. It nails without splitting and holds nails and screws well.

Applications

Cabinetry

Availability

Thickness: 25mm, 38mm & 50mm
Widths: 75mm & wider

Slivertop Ash

Slivertop Ash

Eucalyptus Sieberi

Silvertop is grown mainly in southern NSW, Victoria & Tasmania. It has a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) rating of BAL-12.5. It is of medium texture and has a fair bit of feature, Pinhole borer holes, Gum vein & streaks are common. Works reasonably easily.

Applications

Flooring, Furniture, Joinery

Availability

Thickness: 25mm, 38mm & 50mm
Widths: 100mm, 150mm & 200mm

Spanish Cedar

Spanish Cedar

Cedrela Odorata

Spanish Cedar is not a true cedar, it is in fact closer to a mahogany. Its heartwood is light pink to a red brown but tends to darken with age. It is a timber that is slightly oily & can have some gum pockets. It has a fairly straight grain.

Applications

Musical Instruments, Humidors, Boat Building, Furniture, Joinery

Availability

Thickness: 25mm, 38mm & 50mm
Widths: 100mm & wider

Spotted Gum

Spotted Gum

Eucalyptus Citriodora/Maculata

A large smooth barked long leaved hardwood from Qld/NSW. The heartwood ranges from greyish brown to dark chocolate with the sapwood being paler. The grain is generally wavy and the texture is coarse. A great structural timber it is very hard, dense and strong. It can be hard on tools but produces a fine finish, when laminating special glue must be used.

Applications

Cladding, Construction, Flooring, Furniture, Joinery, Screening, Staircases

Availability

Thickness: 25mm, 38mm & 50mm
Widths: 100mm, 150mm, 200mm, 250mm & 300mm

Surian Cedar

Surian Cedar

Cedrela Spp [Meliceae]

A softwood from Malaysia-a substitute for Australian Red Cedar which is no longer available. The heartwood is light red whilst the sapwood is grey-pink. The wood is soft and lightweight. And often has interlocked or wavy grain. Cedar is easy to resaw, crosscut or machine and has a natural lustre which is enhanced by polishing.

Applications

Furniture, Joinery, Panelling, Wood Turning

Availability

Thickness: 25mm, 38mm & 50mm
Widths: 75mm & wider

Sydney Blue Gum

Sydney Blue Gum

Eucalyptus Saligna

A large Hardwood from Australia’s east coast and plantation growth forests in New Zealand the heartwood is dark pink to red and the sapwood pale yellow. Plantation growth is lighter coloured due to it being younger in age. The heartwood is fairly durable and its strength properties are similar to W. A Karri. It is relatively easy to work and produces a good finish after sanding.

Applications

Boat Building, Flooring, Furniture, Joinery, Staircases

Availability

Thickness: 25mm, 38mm & 50mm
Widths: 75mm, 100mm, 125mm, 150mm, 200mm, 250mm & 300mm

Teak

Teak

Tectona Grandis

Teak grows naturally in Burma and Thailand-The heartwood is golden to deep brown and can have dark markings. It is ringporous, with a conspicuous growth ring figure in flat sawn surfaces. Teak has a greasy feel and leathery smell and is often coarse and uneven in texture. Tungsten carbide tips are often necessary for Teak to machine it successfully. It glues well on freshly cut or newly sanded surfaces. It has good technical properties, particularly stability and durability.

Applications

Decking, Furniture, Joinery

Availability

Thickness: 25mm, 38mm & 50mm
Widths: 25mm, 38mm & 50mm

Tulipwood

Tulipwood

Liriodendren Tulipfera

Commomly known in the USA as tulip poplar or yellow poplar. It is very lightweight but strong. It takes a stain easily so can be used as a substitute for a number of timbers. Machines well.

Applications

Furniture, Joinery

Availability

Thickness: 25mm, 38mm & 50mm
Widths: 100mm & wider

Victorian Ash

Victorian Ash

Eucalyptus Regnans, Eucalyptus Delegatensis

Straight grain with conspicuous growth rings. Coarse texture. Heartwood pale straw to pale pink.

Applications

Joinery, Flooring, Staircases, Furniture, Linings

Availability

Solids
Thickness: 25mm, 38mm & 50mm
Widths: 75mm, 100mm, 125mm, 150mm & 200mm
Laminated
285mm x 19mm, 32mm & 42mm
65mm x 65mm & 90mm x 90mm

Wenge

Wenge

Millettia Laurenti

Wenge can be used in some cases as a substitute for Ebony. It is medium brown with a red or yellow hue with close to black streaks.

Applications

Furniture, Wood Turning, Musical Instruments

Availability

Thickness: 25mm, 38mm & 50mm
Widths: 100mm & wider

Western Red Cedar

Western Red Cedar

Thuja Plicata

Western Red Cedar is a large softwood predominately grown in the western states of USA. It is a very stable timber, heartwood varies from pale brown to a rich dark brown. It is a durable yet soft timber.

Applications

Cladding, Windows, Joinery

Availability

Thickness: 25mm, 38mm & 50mm
Widths: 150mm & 200mm

Wormy Chestnut

Wormy Chestnut

Eucalyptus Obliqua

Also known as Southern Blackbutt & Chestnut, this timber contains a lot of feature, Red gum vein, beetle marks, squiggly worm marks & pin hole are prevalent in the timber. The trees are affected by wildfires, years of drought, attack by insects, the occasional flood and winds so strong that the trees stunt their growth to cope with the environment.

Applications

Flooring, Furniture, Joinery

Availability

Thickness: 25mm, 38mm & 50mm
Widths: 100mm & 150mm

Zebrano

Zebrano

Microberlinia Brazzavillensis

From West Africa the heartwood of Zebrano is a light golden-yellow with narrow streaksof dark brown, which gives quartered surfaces a zebra stripe appearance. The timber can be difficult to work as it has a coarse texture and a lustrous surface. It is a hard stable timber used mainly for decorative purposes.

Applications

Cabinetry, Furniture

Availability

Thickness: 25mm, 38mm & 50mm
Widths: 150mm & wider

For all enquiries, please contact our sales team

VIC: (03) 8756-6333   NSW: (02) 9833-3100   QLD: 0477-555724
or email us on sales@mathewstimber.com.au