Collection: Sugar Gum

Appearance of Sugar Gum Timber

Sugar Gum timber has a fine, even texture and a naturally defect-free appearance, thanks to the self-pruning nature of the species. Its color ranges from blonde to tan, with hints of ginger-orange, green, and pink revealed through finishing. Certain trees exhibit interlocking grain that produces striking figures like bee’s wing and fiddle-back, making Sugar Gum an ideal timber for high-quality furniture and decorative applications.

Common Applications of Sugar Gum Timber

Rated Class 1 for durability, Sugar Gum is valued for its strength and wear resistance, making it suitable for indoor and outdoor furniture, flooring, decking, posts, poles, and stair treads. Its warm appearance and distinctive grain patterns also make it popular for joinery and fine furniture. Architectural veneers crafted from Sugar Gum offer a sustainable option to enjoy its beauty with minimal material use. Additionally, its strength and low defect rate make it ideal for structural applications in posts, beams, and heavy construction.

Workability of Sugar Gum Timber

Due to its density, Sugar Gum is challenging to work and requires pre-drilling with a titanium-coated bit. For optimal results, gluing should be done on freshly machined surfaces, ideally with Titebond aliphatic resin glue. Construction techniques like biscuit-jointed corners, floating panels, and clip-attached tops work well. Finished Sugar Gum performs well outdoors, while organic oils, French polishing, and synthetic finishes enhance its color, bringing out a deep honey tone. When left unfinished, the timber weathers to a silver-grey patina.

Durability of Sugar Gum Timber

Sugar Gum has excellent durability, weathering well outdoors, and is resistant to checking. Though it air dries slowly, kiln drying is also effective, yielding stable timber with minimal surface checking. While some expansion and shrinkage may occur, proper laying techniques for hardwood flooring help maintain stability over time.

Origin and Availability of Sugar Gum Timber

Kosny Timber sources Sugar Gum from sustainable plantations in Australia. Though relatively scarce, Sugar Gum’s versatility, high quality, and sustainable credentials have made it increasingly popular in the timber market, where it is prized for both construction and decorative uses.