About Our Tasmanian Timbers
Huon Pine
(Lagarostrobos franklinii)
Huon Pine was named after a river in Tasmania's south - the Huon River - where the first living tree was discovered. The river was named after commanding officer Jean-Michel Huon de Kermadec of the French Bruni d'Entrecasteaux expedition of 1792.
The first European settlers realised its value and began harvesting the timber in the early 1800s for its ship building and furniture-making qualities. A penal colony was established on the west coast at Macquarie Harbour where they worked in very hostile conditions to collect the timber for export. They used flat bottomed boats on fast flowing and cold rivers to transport the logs. These trips were treacherous and a number of workers and piners lost their lives.
Today, the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens plays a vital role in the conservation of the Huon Pine through its Tasmanian Seed Conservation Centre (TSCC). Around 85% of the remaining wild populations are inside reserve areas across the state and are protected from being harvested. The wood you see now has been taken from the forest floor and logs on the bottom of the Macquarie River. It is becoming increasing rare and more expensive to purchase.
Currently it only lives in the western and south-western parts of the state, growing along river banks, lake shores and swampy areas. The tree grows slowly to about 30 metres in height and 1 metre in diameter - tree of this size could be one thousand years old!
Huon Pine has a richness of its golden colour which makes it one of the world's most desirable furniture timbers. The wood contains a natural preserving oil with an aroma which is unmistakable and its fine and even grain makes it easy to work with.
Sassafras
(Atherosperma moschatum)
Southern sassafras is an evergreen Australian native however the species found in Tasmania is not related to the Sassafras found in other areas of mainland Australia. Averaging heights of 6 to 25m tall, it thrives in Tasmania where it can reach over 40 metres high and 1 metre in width in lower altitude wet forests. Its bark, sap and oils are highly aromatic and smell like cinnamon, while its leaves are dark green and have a strong sarsaparilla smell.
Producing a timber that is naturally golden in colour; when damaged, moisture can enter the tree allowing a fungus to grow and spread, staining and creating the dark veins or streaks through the heart of the tree which gives it the common name - Blackheart Sassafras. Rather than ruining the wood, the fungus value adds and puts it in high demand. The randomness of the fungus gives every piece a stunningly unique finish and is highly sought after by woodworkers in Tasmania who make bowls, clocks, instruments and furniture.
The timber you see now are from trees which have already fallen and collected from the forest floor and harvested. You can view Sassafras in its natural habitat in the west, south and north-western areas of the state in wet forests.
Tasmanian Oak
(Eucalyptus delegatensis)
Tasmanian Oak is a type of eucalypt hardwood. It is very resilient and used for a wide variety of applications, including all forms of construction as framing, panelling and flooring. It is also a popular furniture timber.
Tasmanian Oak is light in colour, varying from straw to reddish brown with shades of pink and cream. The name comes from the early European timber workers who believed the eucalypts showed the same strength as English Oak.
It grows best where it is not overshadowed. Regeneration occurs after fire and seedling establish best on bare mineral soil. In Tasmania, eucalypts may live for 400 years or more and can grow to a height of 70 metres. Some mature trees may be 3-4 metres or more in diameter.
Blackwood
(Acacia melanoxylon)
Blackwood boasts a variety of colours ranging from light golden-brown to deep brown and can sometimes show black streaks. The timber radiates a subtle beauty that makes it irresistible to designers. It is easy to work, very durable and long lasting.
Blackwood is a member of the wattle family and a hardwood. It grows throughout Tasmania's native forests from sea level to 1000 metres in elevation, but thrives in swampy areas.
It is an easy tree to grow and its seed remains visible in the soil for decades.
The swamps of north-west Tasmania have been a primary source of high quality Blackwood for more than a century. This resource has been the cornerstone of Tasmania's fine furniture industry over that time.