Appearance of Marri Timber
Marri timber boasts a visually stunning contrast between its yellow to pale brown heartwood and the pale, almost white sapwood. The dark red gum veins that give the tree its alternative name, "red gum," add character and texture to the timber. With a coarse but even texture and slightly interlocked grain, marri timber finishes to a warm honey colour, often highlighted by its distinctive vein structure. Logs are generally sound to the centre, with gum veins frequently appearing as a natural feature.
Applications of Marri Timber
Marri’s natural beauty makes it a standout choice for modern furniture and household applications. Its finished honey-toned timber is widely used in flooring, where its vein structure adds character to interior spaces. The wood’s versatility extends to general construction, tool handles, oars, and sporting equipment. When preservative-treated, marri is suitable for outdoor uses such as piles, poles, and posts.
Workability of Marri Timber
Marri timber can be challenging to work with due to its high gum content and interlocked grain. However, it accepts preservative treatments readily, making it suitable for both interior and exterior applications. With proper preparation and tools, marri timber can be machined and finished to a smooth, attractive surface that highlights its natural features.
Durability and Maintenance of Marri Timber
While not as durable as jarrah or karri, marri’s treated timber performs well in a variety of applications. Its gum veins and coarse texture require careful handling during machining and finishing, but the resulting products are resilient and visually appealing. Regular maintenance, especially for outdoor applications, will ensure longevity and aesthetic integrity.
Origin and Availability of Marri Timber
Native to Western Australia, marri grows extensively in the state’s southwest, from north of Geraldton to Cape Riche and inland beyond Narrogin. Historically underutilized, marri is gaining popularity for furniture and flooring, leading to increased interest from timber suppliers. Despite this, availability remains somewhat limited outside its native region.
Very Low | Low | Medium | High | Very High | |
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Tangential : | 6.60% | ||||
Radial : | 3.70% | ||||
Unit Movement Tangential: | 0.34% | ||||
Unit Movement Radial: | 0.22% |
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: | F27 | F22 | F17 | F14 | F11 |
Seasoned: | 855kg/m3 |
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Unseasoned: | 1200kg/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: | 78 MPa |
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Modulus of Rupture - Seasoned: | 125 MPa |
Modulus of Elasticity - Unseasoned: | 14 |
Modulus of Elasticity - Seasoned: | 17 GPa |
Maximum Crushing Strength - Unseasoned: | 41 MPa |
Maximum Crushing Strength - Seasoned: | 66 MPa |
Impact - Unseasoned: | 20 J |
Impact - Seasoned: | 23 J |
Toughness - Unseasoned: | Medium - 15 - 24 Nm |
Toughness - Seasoned: | Medium - 15 - 24 Nm |
Hardness - Unseasoned: | 6.6 |
Hardness - Seasoned: | 7.1 |
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: | Susceptible |
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Lyctid Borer Susceptibility - Other: | |
Termite Resistance: | Not Resistant |
1 - non-combustible | 2 - reasonably non-combustible | 3 - slightly combustible | 4 - combustible | |
Fire Properties Group |
Average Specific Extinction Area: | <250 |
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Bushfire Resistance: | BAL 12.5 and 19 – All AS3959 required applications |