Appearance of Forest Red Gum Timber
As its name suggests, Forest Red Gum is known for its vibrant red heartwood, which ranges from light to dark red. The sapwood, in contrast, is a paler shade of grey or cream-red, clearly distinct from the heartwood. With a moderately coarse, uniform texture and interlocked grain, Forest Red Gum exhibits an appealing natural aesthetic, suited to high-visibility applications.
Common Applications of Forest Red Gum Timber
Due to its strength and durability, Forest Red Gum is ideal for heavy construction, including wharf and bridge construction, railway sleepers, cross-arms, poles, and piles. In general construction, it is used for house framing, cladding, flooring, decking, and furniture, making it versatile for both indoor and outdoor use. Its stability and color make it highly valued for decorative applications like joinery, outdoor furniture, turnery, and landscaping. Additionally, it is suitable for boatbuilding, machinery bearings, and even low-stress underwater bearings, underscoring its exceptional wear resistance.
Workability of Forest Red Gum Timber
Forest Red Gum is rated Class 1 in durability, providing up to 25 years of service in-ground. The timber can be kiln-dried and air-seasoned effectively, though its interlocked grain can make clean dressing on the radial surface challenging. Despite its density, it works well with standard fittings and fastenings. Machining and surface preparation should be done immediately before gluing, and Forest Red Gum readily accepts paint, stain, and polish, allowing for various finishing options. It is fire-resistant, making it suitable for bushfire-prone areas without additional treatment.
Origin and Availability of Forest Red Gum Timber
Kosny Timber sources Forest Red Gum from its extensive natural range across New South Wales and into southeastern Victoria and Queensland. Its unique latitude range and broad availability make it a reliable choice for projects across Australia, especially those requiring both strength and beauty.
Very Low | Low | Medium | High | Very High | |
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Tangential : | 8.60% | ||||
Radial : | 4.80% | ||||
Unit Movement Tangential: | 0.34% | ||||
Unit Movement Radial: | 0.25% |
Very High | High | Reasonably High | Medium High | Medium | Reasonably Low | Low | Very Low | |
Unseasoned: | S1 | S2 | S3 | S4 | S5 | S6 | S7 | S8 |
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Seasoned: | SD1 | SD2 | SD3 | SD4 | SD5 | SD6 | SD7 | SD8 |
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Structural No. 1 | Structural No. 2 | Structural No. 3 | Structural No. 4 | Structural No. 5 | |
Unseasoned: | F17 | F14 | F11 | F8 | F7 |
Seasoned: | F22 | F17 | F14 | F11 | F8 |
Seasoned: | 1000kg/m3 |
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Unseasoned: | 1170kg/m3 |
Very High | High | Reasonably High | Medium | Low | Very Low | |
Unseasoned: | J1 | J2 | J3 | J4 | J5 | J6 |
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Seasoned: | JD1 | JD2 | JD3 | JD4 | JD5 | JD6 |
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White, yellow, pale straw to light brown | Pink to pink brown | Light to dark red | Brown, chocolate, mottled or streaky | |
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Modulus of Rupture - Unseasoned: | 85 MPa |
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Modulus of Rupture - Seasoned: | 120 MPa |
Modulus of Elasticity - Unseasoned: | 12 GPa |
Modulus of Elasticity - Seasoned: | 14 GPa |
Maximum Crushing Strength - Unseasoned: | 44 MPa |
Maximum Crushing Strength - Seasoned: | 70 MPa |
Impact - Unseasoned: | 17 J |
Impact - Seasoned: | 15 J |
Toughness - Unseasoned: | Medium - 15 - 24 Nm |
Toughness - Seasoned: | Medium - 15 - 24 Nm |
Hardness - Unseasoned: | 8.6 |
Hardness - Seasoned: | 11.3 |
Low | Moderate | Reasonably High | High | |
(0 - 5 yrs) | (5 - 15 yrs) | (15 - 25 yrs) | (more than 25 yrs) | |
In-Ground: | ![]() | |||
(0 - 7 yrs) | (7 - 15 yrs) | (15 - 40 yrs) | (More than 40 yrs) | |
Above ground: | ![]() | |||
(0 - 20 yrs, usually < 5) | (21 - 40 yrs) | (41 - 64 yrs) | (More than 60 yrs) | |
Marine Borer Resistance: | ![]() |
Lyctid Borer Susceptibility: | Not Susceptible |
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Lyctid Borer Susceptibility - Other: | |
Termite Resistance: | Resistant |
1 - non-combustible | 2 - reasonably non-combustible | 3 - slightly combustible | 4 - combustible | |
Fire Properties Group |
Group Number - Other: | 3 if used on MDF or particleboard ≥12mm; veneer thickness 0.6-0.85mm |
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Average Specific Extinction Area: | <250 |
Bushfire Resistance: | BAL 12.5 and 19 – All AS3959 required applications |