Peppermint, Narrow-leaved

Narrow-leaved peppermint is a member of a family of eucalypts used in the production of oils. It grows in the mountainous areas of New South Wales and Victoria, and in Tasmania. Although many members of the peppermint family are not suitable for use in construction, the narrow-leaved peppermint has been used for construction, fencing, joinery, outbuildings, handles, sporting goods, and novelties.

The heartwood is pale to light brown, and the sapwood slightly lighter but not readily discernible. The grain is straight or interlocked, and the texture is even and of medium fineness. Although gun veins are common in the narrow-leaved peppermint, they are rather less so in this timber than in other members of the peppermint species, though if present they can cause problems in working the timber.

The heartwood of narrow-leaved peppermint is moderately durable, and the sapwood is susceptible to lyctid borer, though not to termites. Narrow-leaved peppermint works fairly easily with a reduced cutter angle. Pre-boring is necessary. The timber glues well and comes to a reasonable finish, though gum veins are common and can cause problems.