Overview
The common name “spotted gum” is used for four different highly durable and dense Corymbias (spotted gum was previously classified as a eucalypt, until it was changed in the mid-1990’s) that grow along the east coast of Australia, but more commonly refers to the species, Corymbia Maculata. They get their common name from the pale, smooth bark in the trees trunks that have shed in small patches leaving the tree with a “spotted” appearance. The different species commonly referred to as spotted gum only differ in appearance, not in durability or other properties. The heartwood of spotted gum ranges from a light brown to a dark reddish-brown. The sapwood of the timber is Lyctid borer susceptible, so is commonly treated to help keep the timber free of the bugs. The timber often comes with an attractive wavy grain with coarse and uneven texture; it also is noted as having a “greasy” feel when you run your hand over machined products. Spotted gum is grown throughout the eastern part of Australia and in some parts of WA and SA in both native forests and plantations. Spotted gum is currently QLD’s largest harvested native hardwood by volume, meaning that spotted gum is widely available throughout Australia, with quantities also being exported internationally.


Pros & Cons
PROS | CONS |
---|---|
Readily available throughout Australia | Expensive |
1 of 7 hardwoods recommended by the building commission for bushfire prone areas | Requires pre-drilling |
Highly durable, dense, and hard | Mostly supplied in random lengths |
Widely available | Lyctid borer susceptible |
Little tannin leach | |
Sustainably sourced |
Properties
Name | Corymbia Maculata |
---|---|
Colour (Heartwood) | Light brown to deep reddish brown |
Colour (Sapwood) | White to light brown |
Durability | Class 1 |
Density | 990 kg/m3 |
Hardness | Janka rating 11 |
Checking rating | |
Shrinkage rating | |
Availability | Widely Available |
BAL Rating | 12.5 19 |
Termite Resistant | YES |
Lyctid Borer Susceptible | YES |
Tannin Leach | Moderate |
Origin | VIC, NSW, QLD |