Southern blue gum is a widely forested Australian hardwood species. Its timber products are readily available and suitable for flooring, furniture and a range of general construction applications.
Eurabbie, Tasmanian Blue Gum, Maiden's Gum, Gippsland Blue Gum
Eucalyptus globulus
Native to the coastal sclerophyll forests of eastern Tasmania, southern blue gum is the world's most widely planted eucalypt species. It is the preferred tree species in plantations throughout Australia. Originally forested for wood chips, pulp and paper fibre, some of the larger plantation trees have been used to produce both timber furniture and flooring material.
The colour of southern blue gum timber ranges from pale straw to brown, often with blue, green or grey tinges. Regrowth material can exhibit shades of pink. Sapwood is somewhat paler than the heartwood, but not always clearly demarcated. Growth rings are prominent on end sections. Grain is often interlocked with a medium and relatively even texture. Timber produced from plantations often exhibits areas of pinhole.
Southern blue gum is a moderately durable timber. It is not termite-resistant and untreated sapwood is susceptible to Lyctid borer attack.
Although very hard, the timber is relatively easy to work, fix and dress.
Due to its density, seasoning requires care in order to minimise checking of tangential surfaces. Southern blue gum blunts cutting edges but good results can be achieved with careful working and the use of correct machinery. The timber can be worked to a smooth and resilient surface that readily accepts most standard finishes. Southern blue gum can be difficult to drill, but holes are usually very clean and to size. Seasoned material can be difficult to nail and utmost care is required when gluing. Southern blue gum is suitable for steam bending if carefully selected for straightness of grain.
Suggested applications of southern blue gum include flooring, joinery, furniture and general construction. The hardness and brightness of this timber makes it an ideal flooring material for indoor sports centres and other venues. Other applications include wagon building, framing, boat building, handles, piles, posts, sleepers, paving blocks, spokes, wheel rims and shafts.
Shrinkage
Very Low | Low | Medium | High | Very High | |
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Tangential : |
14.40%
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Radial : |
6.90%
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Unit Movement Tangential: |
0.39%
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Unit Movement Radial: |
0.26%
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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 |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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: |
F17 |
F14 |
F11 |
F8 |
F7 |
Seasoned: |
F34 |
F27 |
F22 |
F17 |
F14 |
Density per Standard
Seasoned: |
970kg/m3
|
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Unseasoned: |
1140kg/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: |
84
|
---|---|
Modulus of Rupture - Seasoned: |
146
|
Modulus of Elasticity - Unseasoned: |
15
|
Modulus of Elasticity - Seasoned: |
20
|
Maximum Crushing Strength - Unseasoned: |
43
|
Maximum Crushing Strength - Seasoned: |
83
|
Impact - Unseasoned: |
20
|
Impact - Seasoned: |
27
|
Toughness - Unseasoned: |
Medium - 15 - 24 Nm
|
Toughness - Seasoned: |
High - 25 Nm and above
|
Hardness - Unseasoned: |
7.3
|
Hardness - Seasoned: |
12
|
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: |
Susceptible |
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Lyctid Borer Susceptibility - Other: |
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Termite Resistance: |
Not Resistant
|
Fire Properties
Critical Radiance Flux - Lower: |
2.2 and <4.5 |
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Critical Radiance Flux - Higher: |
≥4.5 |
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 – All AS3959 required applications
|
Southern blue gum ranges in colour from pale straw to brown, often with blue, green or grey tones. Regrowth material can exhibit shades of pink, while timber produced from plantation will often carry areas of pinhole. The sapwood is paler than the heartwood, but not always clearly demarcated. Grain is often interlocked, with a medium and relatively even texture. Growth rings are prominent on end sections.
Common applications of southern blue gum include flooring, joinery, furniture and general construction. The hardness and brightness of this timber makes it an ideal flooring material for indoor sports centres and other venues. Other applications include wagon building, framing, boatbuilding, handles, piles, posts, sleepers, paving blocks, spokes, felloes and shafts.
Although very hard, the timber is easy to work, fix and dress. Considerable collapse can occur if not carefully seasoned. Southern blue gum is suitable for steam bending if carefully selected for straightness of grain.