Description
Imported directly from Cooranbong in New South Wales, Australia
Of the many exotic woods available to woodworkers, jarrah wood, Eucalyptus marginata, exhibits one of the most distinctive colors and grain patterns. The heartwood of this tree is most prized for its deep red to burgundy color, which occasionally shows black streaks. The wood can darken over time with exposure to air so that it resembles mahogany. The sapwood is paler, usually pinkish-red. Jarrah grows only in southwestern Australia.
According to Woodworkers Source, jarrah is the most widely harvested species of the Eucalyptus. And because jarrah trees have a relatively limited distribution area — about a 20-mile band around the coast of southwestern Australia — old-growth sources are dwindling all the time, although some environmentally responsible or sustainable sources do exist.
Jarrah trees are large, growing from 100 to 130 feet tall and over 6 feet in diameter. The wood is dense and resistant to insect damage and decay, although it is susceptible to the root rot fungus. The wood appears in either straight or irregular grain patterns, and sometimes exhibits wavy or fiddleback patterns. Sometimes you might see dried sap pockets or gum veins. On the Janka Hardness Scale, it ranks as harder than oak but not as hard as teak or mahogany.
Jarrah wood is most often used for hardwood flooring, cabinetry, doors and window sills. It is widely used for tool handles and veneers. It also has marine applications such as bridges, ships, rafts, wharfs and decks. At one time, it was used as a road base. It is seldom stained due to its rich natural color, and is usually finished with varnish or wax.
Because of jarrah’s dense nature and varying grain patterns, the wood can be difficult to carve or shape with both hand and power tools, and it is usually necessary to predrill holes for nails and screws. Keep tools very sharp, as the dense wood can blunt them quickly. Straight-grained pieces of jarrah can be successfully steam bent. The wood can be planed, but keep blades sharp to avoid tearing out the grain.
3/4″ x 3/4″ x 6″
limited quantity and supply
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.