Sydney blue gum is an Australian native hardwood timber species that is widely used in general construction and for flooring, furniture and joinery.

Sydney blue gum is a large hardwood species growing to a height of 60 metres or more. It occurs natively in forests along the coast of New South Wales and southern Queensland. Sydney Blue Gum is also extensively grown as a plantation species in South Africa and South America, where rapid growth yields timber of much lower density than Australian material.
Sydney Blue Gum is an important general construction timber, particularly in New South Wales. It is widely used for flooring, cladding, fencing, paneling and boat building. Other common applications include landscaping (as garden sleepers), furniture and joinery.
The heartwood of the species ranges in colour from dark pink to a reddish brown. Sapwood is distinctly paler. The grain of Sydney blue gum timber is typically straight, with occasional interlocking of grain. Texture is moderately coarse and gum veins are common.
Sydney blue gum is a moderately durable timber with a life expectancy for in-ground applications of between eight and 15 years. Untreated sapwood is susceptible to Lyctid borer attack.
Sydney blue gum timber is easy to dry relative to most other eucalypts. It is also easy to work, dress and fix. It responds well to most finishes and takes a good polish, making it popular for decorative applications where moderate durability is required.
Shrinkage
Very Low | Low | Medium | High | Very High | |
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Tangential : |
9.50%
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Radial : |
5.40%
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Unit Movement Tangential: |
0.34%
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Unit Movement Radial: |
0.24%
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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 |
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Stress Grade

Structural No. 1 |
Structural No. 2 |
Structural No. 3 |
Structural No. 4 |
Structural No. 5 |
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Unseasoned: |
F17 |
F14 |
F11 |
F8 |
F7 |
Seasoned: |
F27 |
F22 |
F17 |
F14 |
F11 |
Density per Standard

Seasoned: |
840kg/m3
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Unseasoned: |
1110kg/m3
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Joint Group

Very High |
High |
Reasonably High |
Medium |
Low |
Very Low |
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Unseasoned: |
J1 |
J2 |
J3 |
J4 |
J5 |
J6 |
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Seasoned: |
JD1 |
JD2 |
JD3 |
JD4 |
JD5 |
JD6 |
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Colour

White, yellow, pale straw to light brown | Pink to pink brown | Light to dark red | Brown, chocolate, mottled or streaky | |
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Mechanical Properties
Modulus of Rupture - Unseasoned: |
76
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Modulus of Rupture - Seasoned: |
122
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Modulus of Elasticity - Unseasoned: |
12
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Modulus of Elasticity - Seasoned: |
15
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Maximum Crushing Strength - Unseasoned: ![]() |
41
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Maximum Crushing Strength - Seasoned: |
66
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Impact - Unseasoned: |
17
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Impact - Seasoned: |
18
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Toughness - Unseasoned: |
Medium - 15 - 24 Nm
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Toughness - Seasoned: |
Medium - 15 - 24 Nm
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Hardness - Unseasoned: |
5.8
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Hardness - Seasoned: |
8.1
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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: |
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Lyctid Borer Susceptibility: |
Susceptible |
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Lyctid Borer Susceptibility - Other: |
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Termite Resistance: |
Not Resistant
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Fire Properties
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 |
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Critical Radiance Flux - Higher: |
>2.2 and <4.5 |
Smoke Development Rate: |
<750
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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
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The heartwood of Sydney blue gum ranges in colour from dark pink to reddish brown. The paler sapwood is readily distinguishable. Grain is typically straight with occasional interlocking. Texture is moderately coarse and gum veins are common.
Sydney blue gum timber is an important general construction timber, particularly in New South Wales. It is widely used for flooring, cladding, fencing, panelling and boat building. Other common applications include landscaping (as garden sleepers), furniture and joinery.
Sydney blue gum is easy to work, dress and fix. It responds well to most finishes and takes a good polish, making it popular for decorative applications where moderate durability is required.

Fencing

Retaining Walls (Landscaping)

Stairs, Interior

Cladding, External

Flooring

Allied Forest Products

Australian Solar Timbers

Bakers Joinery

Cameron's H Hardware

Classy Timber Flooring

Coffs Harbour Hardwoods

Dekhar Outdoors

Floors of Distinction

Garde Timber Pty Ltd

Hammer Roo

Hammersmith

M1 Timber Works Pty Ltd

Matilda Veneer

Outlast Timber Supplies

Pentarch Forestry

Ridgewood Timber Pty Ltd

The Log Factory

Timber Blitz Pty Ltd
