We have a large Blue Gum Eucalyptus here in Hawaii that fell and we are looking into milling it to lumber, hiring a man who owns a new Woodmizer, very experienced and competent. The tree consists of a 50-foot trunk, looks like lots of good wood.
Anyone with experience or tips on:
A) insect problems with Blue Gum
(for example does the post dust beetle like it)
B) air drying Blue gum
C) tips on milling. Will probably flat saw it, 1/2 to 4/4, and the other half 8/4 and 12/4.
I want to try to assure myself that the lumber will be worth the investment in milling. And that we process in a way that will ensure the best result.
I milled a small piece of a limb and found the wood is a fairly blond color, quite hard. Apparently Eucalyptus globulus.
Thanks!
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Replies
Hi KM,
Blue Gum has a fairly swirly and interlocked grain and can tear out easily. Attached photo of plane handle in blue gum gives an idea of finished colour, strawberry blonde type of colour.
Not a highly prized furniture timber here, but a furniture timber nonetheless. More often used in construction.
Fairly hard, as all eucalypt can be.
According to our local bible on timber("Bootle"), this species is similar to victorian ash/Tassie Oak and needs to be quarter cut to avoid shrinkage cracking/surface checking. Can collapse considerably on drying. ADD approx 900kg/m3
Sapwood susceptible to Lyctid borer (powder post beetle) when dry, heartwood moderate durability (ie: not outstanding)
Cheers,
eddie
I was thinking of using it for trimming out a couple of rooms, doors, windows, etc., and for panel wainscott. Does that sound like a suitable use? The small sample I cut seems pretty nice.
Sort of undecided about whether the beetles would get it.
Maybe if we avoid using sapwood?
KM
Hi KM,
'Tassie Oak' (3 different species) is another timber prone to checking is used extensively and one of our mainstay furniture timbers, as well as for kitchen panels, etc.
Here's what the room would look like if panelled in eucalypt. The intro here said that the walls are panelled in flooded gum somewhere on this 'tour'. I haven't bothered looking through the tour. A lot of this furniture is eucalypt.
For trim, you need a durable timber, of which this species is rated only 'moderately' durable. There are other timbers (both eucalypt and your own species) better suited to exposure. It needs protection from weather and weathers to a silver grey colour, similar to western red cedar.
Cheers,
eddie
Edited 4/25/2003 1:53:51 AM ET by eddie (aust)
Edited 4/25/2003 2:50:06 AM ET by eddie (aust)
Thank you, Eddie
In doing more research, I think our tree is Sidney Blue Gum, not Tasmanian Blue Gum.
A picture of Sydney blue is enclosed from the web. It looks just like our tree.
http://www.ffp.csiro.au/nfm/mdp/bbproj/bark/salbark.gif
I have not been able to find out much about whether the Sidney blue (Saligna) differs from the Tasmanian Gum. Any leads or knowledge on that?
I am feeling confident about the value for milling the tree. Now mostly outlining appropriate uses, so as to mill it to the proper thicknesses.
Sound like it will do ok for paneling or panels. I could use it for the panels for my wainscott and use the Silk Oak (which we also have) for the trim, rails, cap, etc.
(unless, of course, the Sidney is more stable).
How about for doors?
Door frames?
Thanks again.
Hi KM,
looking at our 'bible', the two blue gums have similar properties.
I wouldn't use it externally, even though it may prove to be OK. Tends to move a bit.
Now, Silky Oak (Grevillea Robusta) is a timber that causes allergic reaction and skin inflammation. Avoid breathing the dust or excessive handling. Fairly soft as well. According to the book, it's OK to : "use outside in sheltered locations", but I've only ever seen it used in furniture
Ian Wilkie, any further comments?
cheers, eddie
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