Overview
The timber commonly known as “Tallowwood” owes its name to the greasy feel of the wood once it has been cut or machined, due to its naturally oily composition. The decking should be left to weather slightly (2-3 weeks) before giving it a sanding, slight wash with a deck cleaning product and oil. It is a highly durable and dense timber, which is highly resistant to decay due to its ability to withstand damp and wet conditions relatively well; however the softwood of the timber is Lyctid borers susceptible, so any sapwood present in the decking boards maybe have to be treated to help keep them free of the bugs. The heartwood colour ranges from a pale to dark yellowish brown, with a moderately coarse texture and interlocked grain. Availability of tallowwood is fairly common, with most of the resource being sourced from native forests on coastal regions between southern Newcastle, NSW and Maryborough, QLD.
Pros & Cons
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Termite Resistant | Mostly available in random lengths |
| Very high durability and density | High tannin / oil content |
| Good resistance to surface checking | Pre-drilling required |
| High resistance to decay | Lyctid borer susceptible |
| Performs well in wet environments – good for pool areas |
Properties
| Name | Eucalyptus Microcorys |
|---|---|
| Colour (Heartwood) | Pale to dark brownish yellow |
| Colour (Sapwood) | White to light brown |
| Durability | Class 1 |
| Density | 990 kg/m3 |
| Hardness | Janka rating 8.6 |
| Checking rating | |
| Shrinkage rating | |
| Availability | Moderately Available |
| BAL Rating | 12.5 19 |
| Termite Resistant | YES |
| Lyctid Borer Susceptible | YES |
| Tannin Leach | Little to moderate |
| Origin | NSW, QLD |
