Myrtle Beech (Nothofagus cunninghamii), Timber Handrails, Frameless Toughed Glass Balustrades
Wood > Myrtle Beech (Nothofagus cunninghamii)) |
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Myrtle Beech (Nothofagus cunninghamii)) |
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The Myrtle Beech is an evergreen tree native to south eastern Australia and Tasmania. It grows mainly in the diminishing temperate rainforests. It is not related to the Myrtle family.These trees typically grow to 55 m tall and have large trunks with scaly, dark brown bark. Myrtle Beech is found in the wet forests across Tasmania. Increased reserves have restricted the supply of Myrtle which in future will come from selected forests grown on very long rotations. The dominant species of the cool temperate rainforest, the myrtle-beech is representative of species that once grew extensively thoughout not only Australia, but also the southern continents of South America and Antarctica. It was part of the distinctive suite of plants that evolved on the supercontinent of Gondwana. Today the species finds its stronghold in Tasmania but also occurs in Victoria. Myrtle-beech can attain heights of up to 50m and ages in excess of 500 years. Although it is not as shade tolerant as sassafras and leatherwood it maintains its dominance in the forest by having a relatively fast growth rate, being larger and longer lived. When it dies it leaves a very large canopy gap which allows in sufficient light to enable young myrtle seedlings to grow. |
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General Characteristics
Myrtle beech does not resmble the European Myrtle and is not related. It became known as "Myrtle" only through common useage of the early timbermen. It is a very strong and dense timber.
Colour / Pattern
Myrtle Beech is a rich red-brown wood with almost orange tones. It is believed that the richness in colour comes from the highly fertile soils on basalt. While a pale and pink Myrtle resource is available, the commercial production concentrates on the deeper red close grained varieties with burled features. It is usually fairly uniform but can also be spectacularly figured with a deep lustre or streaked through with flames of orange.
Uses
The timber is used in high quality furniture and joinery, and for feature panels in homes and offices, it has further applications for craft workers for who favour the burls and knotty wood.
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