Blackwood
Blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon) is a slow-growing acacia species preferring high annual rainfall and deep clay loam soils. It has intensive silvicultural and site requirements for successful establishment.
Table 1: General characteristics for blackwood
Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
Botanical name | Acacia melanoxylon |
Growth rate in preferred conditions | Slow |
Estimated rotation length (yr) in preferred conditions to produce 60cm diameter at breast height | 35+ |
Preferred annual rainfall (mm/yr) | 1200+ |
Minimum rainfall (mm/yr) | 1000+ |
Preferred elevation (m) ASL | 0–1000 |
Preferred landscape position | Cool moist valley |
Preferred soil | Deep, clay loam |
Prohibitive soil | Heavy clay or duplex soil |
Poor drainage tolerance | Low |
Dry site tolerance | Low |
Frost tolerance | Moderate to high |
Pest and disease problems: trees planted on unsuitable sites are more prone to insect and disease issues | Longicorn borers |
Table 2: Timber characteristics for blackwood
Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
Strength: seasoned timber only | SD4: moderate |
Durability1: in ground | above ground | 3 | 3 |
Drying: green to 12% moisture content | Easy to dry with minimal checking and negligible collapse. Shrinkage very low at about 1.5% radial and 4% tangential |
Main commercial products | Panelling, internal flooring, veneers, internal joinery, high-quality furniture |
Bushfire resistance2: measured by bushfire attack level (BAL) | BAL 12.5 and 19 – door and window joinery only |
Least attractive features | Needs fertile soils and regular high rainfall. Slow growth. Tendency to branch vigorously. Requires intensive silviculture, particularly regular pruning and thinning |
Most attractive features | Excellent timber to work. Universally regarded as an excellent interior feature timber |
Status as a plantation species | Considerable interest in establishment as a plantation species. However, intensive silvicultural and site requirements act as a deterrent |
Note: Timber characteristics and durability are based on Australian Standard: Timber Natural durability ratings (AS 5604–2005). Refer to the Appendix for an explanatory table. Where (?) applied, rating is based on field experience.
Note: Bushfire resistance measurement is based on naturally bushfire resisting timbers, which are those with inherent bushfire-resisting properties. For more information refer to Australian Standard 3959:2018.
Assumptions and notes
- Sites considered for planting contain at least one metre of soil above an impeding layer (e.g., bedrock or layer impenetrable to roots).
- Please note that most (if not all) eucalypts in Gippsland grow best on sheltered sites.
- Overall slow drying time across air and kiln-dried schedules is recommended to minimise drying degrade. This is the best starting point for inexperienced operators.
References
Beadle CL and Brown AG (eds) 2007. Acacia utilisation and management: adding value. RIRDC Publication No. 07/095, Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, Canberra.
Boland DJ et. al (1992). Forest trees of Australia. CSIRO Australia.
Bootle KR (1983). Wood in Australia – Types, properties and uses. McGraw Hill, Australia
Carnegie AJ (2002). Field guide to common pests and diseases in eucalypt plantations in NSW. Research and Development Division of State Forests, NSW.
Clarke B, McLeod I and Vercoe T (eds) 2009. Trees for farm forestry: 22 promising species. RIRDC Publication No. 09/015. Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, Canberra.
Mortimer J (2003). A selection of alternative timbers. Taitua Books, NZ.
National Association of Forest Industries (2004). Timber species and properties, revised edition. Timber Manual Datafile P1
Nicholas ID, Gifford HH and Kimberely MO (1997). Siting black walnut. FRI Bulletin no. 188
Phillips C (1996). Insects, diseases and deficiencies associated with eucalypts in South Australia. Primary Industries SA Forests.
Poole B, Waugh G and Yang JL (2017). Potential for growing and processing durable eucalypts in New Zealand. Publication No. SWP-T036. Solid Wood Innovation. Specialty Wood Products Research Partnership.
Reid R (2017). Heartwood. The art and science of growing trees for conservation and profit. Melbourne Books.
Tepper CJ (2002). Plantation eucalypt species for solid wood products – a profile of Eucalyptus muelleriana. Gottstein Fellowship Report for the Gottstein Memorial Trust
Tepper CJ (2008). Site Matching and Establishing Eucalypt Sawlog Species in Southern Australia. In Beadle CL and Brown AG (eds) 2008. Plantation eucalypts for high value timber. RIRDC Publication No. 08/113, Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, Canberra.