Red Mahogany

Red Mahogany is an Australian hardwood with a fine grain and stunning red colouring used for engineering applications, construction, furniture and turnery.

Botanical Name:   Eucalyptus pellita

Preferred Common Name::   Red Mahogany

Other Names:   Red Stringybark, Daintree Stringybark (Qld), Red Messmate (Qld), Eucalyptus resinifera Red Mahogany is a hardwood with a fine grain and stunning red colouring. It is a versatile wood suitable for engineering applications and for use in construction. Due to its attractive figure, it is prized for furniture and turnery. Red Mahogany has become a prestigious timber due to its durability, termite resistance and rare colouring. Different species of Red Mahogany grow in different regions of Queensland, New Guinea and Irian Jaya. E. resinifera occurs from Jervis Bay in New South Wales to Coen in Queensland. E. pellita occurs from north of Townsville to Iron Range on Cape York Peninsula and through areas from Gladstone in Queensland to southern coastal New South Wales. Trees of this species reach a height of 40-45m with 1-1.5m trunk diameter. The bark is fibrous, shallow to coarsely fissured, and persists on even the small branches. Different species have differently coloured bark; E. resinifera being greyish to reddish-brown and E. pellita being reddish-brown to brown. Red Mahogany is a dense, durable timber. The heartwood ranges from red to dark red, but sapwood is distinctively paler. The even grain is generally moderatleytextured, displaying the occasional gum vein, and at times the grain is interlocked producing an attractive figure. The density of the timber varies depending on its source; plantation grown 8.5 year-old timber has 70% of the density of natural grown timber, creating some variance in hardness. The common uses of Red Mahogany include wharf and bridge construction, railway sleepers and in mining timbers. It is used for a wide range of interior and exterior purposes in general construction and can be made into indoor and outdoor furniture. Other uses include boat building, coa

Species type :   Hardwood

Appearance: Red Mahogany is a beautiful timber, displaying a range of deep red and pale pink hues. The grain is uniform and somewhat course and can be interlocked, producing a stunning figure. Generally the heartwood is a deep, rich red in colour but it may be lighter in younger material. The timber's sapwood is paler and clearly distinct from the heartwood. Tight gum veins, gum deposits and pinhole borer discolouration occasionally augment the appearance of the timber and pencil streak is common.

Common Applications: Red Mahogany's durability, hardness and distinctive colouring make it one of the most versatile of timbers. The engineering applications of Red Mahogany as a sawn and round timber can be seen in wharf and bridge construction, railway sleepers, cross arms, poles, piles, mining timbers. As sawn timber for construction purposes it is used in general house framing, cladding, internal and external flooring, linings, joinery, fencing, landscaping, including use in retaining walls, although it is less ideal for use in contact with the ground. One of its finest uses is for decorative purposes, in the manufacture of quality indoor and outdoor furniture. It is also prized for turnery. Red Mahogany's versatility can be seen further in its use in boat building (keel and framing components, planking), coach, vehicle and carriage building, agricultural machinery and in structural plywood.

Common Form: Sawn

Workability: HFor a dense timber that is very hard, Red Mahogany is relatively easy to work and machine with both hand and power tools. It can be satisfactorily dried using conventional air and kiln seasoning. The heartwood is highly resistant to termites and the softwood susceptible to lyctid borer. The sapwood readily accepts preservative impregnation but penetration of heartwood is negligible using currently available commercial processes. No difficulty has been experienced when using standard fittings and fastenings. As with most highly dense species, machining and surface preparation should be done immediately before gluing. The species holds both nails and staples well. Finishing the timbers is possible through a range of methods. The timber accepts paint and stain and is one of the best eucalypts for painting since the wood has good resistance to surface checking. It develops a lovely finish when polished.

Origin of Timber: NSW, QLD, Asia, SE Asia

Readily Available: NSW, VIC, SA, TAS, QLD, WA

Availability - Further Information: Red Mahogany is available only in limited quantities, due to heavy logging in the past. Early research trials suggest that future supplies of plantation-grown E. pellita will be available from northern Queensland on suitable soils and where the mean annual rainfall exceeds 900 mm.

Architectural Roof Trusses: Architectural timber roof trusses create strong visual impact. Often used as part of 'cathedral ceiling' systems, timber can be specified light or heavy to suit the chosen theme and style. On finish, they can be left natural or may be oiled, stained, painted or highly decorated. Choice is limited only by individual style and design preferences.

External Cladding: The natural appeal, versatility and strength of timber makes it the superior choice for external cladding. Through specification, planning, design and finishing processes, timber cladding not only creates a building of superior strength, acoustic and thermal performance but also creates a place of beauty, style and natural appeal.

Fencing: When it comes to fencing, timber is your natural choice. A material that is durable, strong and reliable it compliments almost every outdoor landscape and environment. Clear specification, detailed installation and appropriate maintenance will see any timber fence provide a natural and lasting property boundary and back drop for years to come.

Flooring Whether for structural or finished flooring applications, timber offers durability, versatility and adaptability. The warmth, strength and natural beauty of timber flooring has proved enduringly popular in a wide variety of interior settings.

Framing Since people began building simple shelters, wooden framing has played an important role in shaping structures of many kinds. One of the most popular types of wooden framing is known as lightweight timber construction.

Internal Paneling Timber paneling creates interiors as warm as they are stylish. Commonly utilising an MDF or plywood substrate, internal timber paneling is natural and versatile and comes as either solid natural timber panels or as sheets of engineered wood products.

Retaining Walls (Landscaping) When it comes to retaining wall, landscape design and construction, timber is the natural choice. A material that is durable, sturdy and reliable, it boasts natural aesthetics that help it blend seamlessly with the outdoors. Careful consideration during the specification and design process will facilitate the creation of a long lasting, durable and eye catching timber retaining wall that will complement its surrounding landscape for years to come.