Victorian ash is the trade name of two large Victorian hardwood species, alpine ash and mountain ash, that can be used for timber framing, internal applications and furniture.
Alpine Ash, Mountain Ash
E. delegatensis & E. regnans
Victorian ash is the trade name for two of the tallest hardwood species in the world. This Australian hardwood takes its name from the fact that it grows in the alpine areas of Victoria, It can refer to either mountain ash or alpine ash and as these species are species segregated in Victoria it is marketed under the trade nameVictorian ash, it is important to note that the proportions of each species can vary considerably but Victorian mountain ash and alpine ash are very similar in characteristics and look. Victorian ash should not be confused with Tasmanian oak which comprises three hardwood species: alpine ash, mountain ash and messmate and has quite a wide variation in colour mix. Importantly it should also be noted that Victorian ash is not susceptible to lyctid borer whilst Tasmanian oak is.
Victorian ash is mainly available in Victoria, Tasmania and NSW, with limited availability to other parts of Australia.
Victorian ash timber usually has a straight grain but may also produce fiddleback markings and have visible gum veins. It has a course texture. The heartwood ranges from pale pink to yellowish brown and a walnut colour can be achieved by steaming with ammonia. The heartwood is often indistinguishable in colour from the softwood.
Care needs to be taken when drying Victorian ash because it is prone to collapse and internal checking, as well as surface checking on the tangential surface. There is minimal shrinkage after drying. To ensure good quality boards, logs are quarter-cut, which provides excellent dimensional stability. Reconditioning is standard practice.
Victorian ash can be used for general construction, such as F17 seasoned structural framing, but its moderate above-ground durability and its consistent and even colour means it is best suited for interior applications such as flooring, panelling, mouldings, staircases, handrails, balusters, cupboards, bench tops high value joinery, furniture as well as protected (e.g. painted) window joinery. Victorian ash is also used to manufacture plywood and may also be used for boxes, crates and paper pulp. Victorian ash can be grown as a plantation timber due to its quick growth and resistance to insect attack.
Shrinkage
Very Low | Low | Medium | High | Very High | |
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Tangential : |
8.50%
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Radial : |
5.20%
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Unit Movement Tangential: |
0.31%
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Unit Movement Radial: |
0.20%
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Strength Group
Very High |
High |
Reasonably High |
Medium High |
Medium |
Reasonably Low |
Low |
Very Low |
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Unseasoned: |
S1 |
S2 |
S3 |
S4 |
S5 |
S6 |
S7 |
S8 |
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---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Seasoned: |
SD1 |
SD2 |
SD3 |
SD4 |
SD5 |
SD6 |
SD7 |
SD8 |
|
Stress Grade
Structural No. 1 |
Structural No. 2 |
Structural No. 3 |
Structural No. 4 |
Structural No. 5 |
|
Unseasoned: |
F14 |
F11 |
F8 |
F7 |
F5 |
Seasoned: |
F22 |
F17 |
F14 |
F11 |
F8 |
Density per Standard
Seasoned: |
650kg/m3
|
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Unseasoned: |
1050kg/m3
|
Joint Group
Very High |
High |
Reasonably High |
Medium |
Low |
Very Low |
|
Unseasoned: |
J1 |
J2 |
J3 |
J4 |
J5 |
J6 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Seasoned: |
JD1 |
JD2 |
JD3 |
JD4 |
JD5 |
JD6 |
Colour
White, yellow, pale straw to light brown | Pink to pink brown | Light to dark red | Brown, chocolate, mottled or streaky | |
Mechanical Properties
Modulus of Rupture - Unseasoned: |
65.9
|
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Modulus of Rupture - Seasoned: |
110
|
Modulus of Elasticity - Unseasoned: |
12.6
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Modulus of Elasticity - Seasoned: |
15.5
|
Maximum Crushing Strength - Unseasoned: |
31.5
|
Maximum Crushing Strength - Seasoned: |
61.6
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Impact - Unseasoned: |
13.7
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Impact - Seasoned: |
19.7
|
Toughness - Unseasoned: |
Medium - 15 - 24 Nm
|
Toughness - Seasoned: |
Medium - 15 - 24 Nm
|
Hardness - Unseasoned: |
3.7
|
Hardness - Seasoned: |
5
|
Durability
Low | Moderate | Reasonably High | High | |
(0 - 5 yrs) | (5 - 15 yrs) | (15 - 25 yrs) | (more than 25 yrs) | |
In-Ground: |
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(0 - 7 yrs) | (7 - 15 yrs) | (15 - 40 yrs) | (More than 40 yrs) | |
Above ground: |
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(0 - 20 yrs, usually < 5) | (21 - 40 yrs) | (41 - 64 yrs) | (More than 60 yrs) | |
Marine Borer Resistance: |
Lyctid Borer Susceptibility: |
|
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Lyctid Borer Susceptibility - Other: |
Not susceptible when sourced from Victoria
Susceptible when sourced from Tasmania and NSW |
Termite Resistance: |
Not Resistant
|
Fire Properties
0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | |
EFH Ignitibility: |
0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
EFH Spread-of-Flame Index: |
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EFH Smoke-Developed Index: |
Critical Radiance Flux - Lower: |
>2.2 and <4.5 kW/m2 |
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Critical Radiance Flux - Higher: |
>2.2 and <4.5 kW/m2 |
Smoke Development Rate: |
<750
|
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 – Door and window joinery only
|
Victorian ash timber can range from a pale pink to pale yellow or brownish colour. The heartwood and sapwood colours are generally quite hard to tell apart, with sapwood 25 to 50mm wide.
Victorian ash features a moderately course texture and has a predominately straight grain, although it may be wavy in parts resulting in a fiddleback appearance. Gum veins are also a common appearance feature.
It will provide a light, creamy-coloured timber for appearance applications, although a richer walnut colour can also be achieved by steaming Victorian ash with ammonia.
Victorian ash can be used for protected structural applications, such as high strength seasoned structural F17 timber framing, but it is best suited to indoor appearance applications and furniture due its low to moderate durability, its excellent working properties and its consistency in colour. Flooring, panelling, mouldings, staircases, handrails, balusters, cupboards, bench tops and high value joinery, windows and furniture are some of its more common applications - although it is also used for agricultural implements, oars, cooperage, boxes, crates, paper pulp and in the manufacture of plywood.
A strong and stable timber, Victorian ash offers good all round workability. It planes, sands, finishes and glues well, and will readily steam and bend. This makes Victorian ash an ideal timber for internal applications and furniture.