Stringybark, Blackdown

Blackdown stringybark is a native hardwood species growing to a height of 45 metres, with a stem diameter of up to two metres. It is not considered a ‘true’ stringybark, but is named for its fibrous, grey-brown bark. Heartwood ranges in colour from brown to yellow-brown. Sapwood, usually distinct, is a pale brown colour. The texture of Blackdown stringybark timber is even, with slightly interlocked grain. Fine rays are visible with a lens.

Blackdown stringybark is a durable timber, with a life expectancy of up to 40 years above ground, and 15 to 25 years in-ground. It is termite-resistant in accordance with AS 3660.1, and untreated sapwood is immune to lyctid borer (powder post beetle) attack. The sapwood of this species is, however, readily impregnated with preservatives using commercially available procedures.

Blackdown stringybark is a very hard timber (rated 1 on a 6-class scale) in relation to both indentation and hand tooling. It is readily worked by machine, and amenable to the use of all standard fastenings and fittings. It may be satisfactorily painted, stained, polished and glued using standard procedures.

The timber of this species is commonly used in engineering (mining timbers, utility pole cross-arms) and general construction (framing, cladding, flooring) applications. However, commercial availability is generally limited by proximity to Blackdown Tableland in central Queensland, about 150 kilometres southwest of Rockhampton.