Overview
The “Karri” tree is Australia’s and one the world’s tallest hardwoods growing up to 70m in height, allowing for longer lengths of timber being able to be milled, knot-free. Karri heartwood is a beautiful hue of reddish-brown, being slightly lighter in colour then jarrah. Also like Jarrah, the Karri grows in the wetter regions of southwest WA and also cultivated internationally. Availability of Karri is slightly greater then Jarrah, but still limited due to the most of the timber now in conservation reserves and regrowth forest. Karri timber has an interlocked, sometimes straight grain, with a course texture. Karri is moderately durable, with a reputation of being termite-prone, however not nearly as prone as pine.
Pros & Cons
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Longer lengths of timber available, knot-free | Termite-prone |
| Cheaper than other hardwoods, like jarrah and ironbark | Somewhat limited in availability |
| Often used as flooring too, can use decking to create a continuous flow from inside to out | Pre-drilling required |
| High strength | Poor reputation to holding paint and impregnation of preservatives |
| Mostly supplied in random lengths | |
| Not as durable as other Australian hardwoods |
Properties
| Name | Eucalyptus Diversicolour |
|---|---|
| Colour (Heartwood) | Reddish brown |
| Colour (Sapwood) | Pale greyish brown |
| Durability | Class 2 |
| Density | 900 kg/m3 |
| Hardness | Janka rating 9 |
| Checking rating | |
| Shrinkage rating | |
| Availability | Limited Availability |
| BAL Rating | 12.5 19 |
| Termite Resistant | NO |
| Lyctid Borer Susceptible | NO |
| Tannin Leach | Little |
| Origin | WA |
