Trees (forum)

malcolm starts with ...
I am trying to figure a suitable cabinet Timber tree to plant on a property near Kempsey (Sub Tropical, coastal). The property has some flood plain, and slopes with acidic soil that can get waterlogged. Any advice I can get would be appreciated.
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Time: 15th June 2016 8:58pm

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About the Author Malcolm
Gorokan NSW
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Manfred says...
You've got a lot to choose from. I think the most profitable option would likely be some blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon) and some black bean (Castanospermum austral) with a small number of red cedars (Toona spp) concealed among them so the cedar-tip moth doesn't find them.

They are all good quick growers with a quick return from the blackwoods. White cedar is quick too but not so well figured for furniture as young blackwoods or older black beans. Less value.

Other specialty stuff is worth looking into. I am told there is a demand from US hobbyists for casuarina and the proteaceae timbers like silky oak. Grevillea robusta would do well there, and so would some of the Flindersias.

(I haven't kept up-to-date on Paulownia - probably get howled down for even mentioning it - but I think it has its place in the Australian plantation timber market.)

Jakfruit wood is supposed to have some specialist market, though I haven't personally researched it. Fruit while you wait.

Go for it. Plant close enough to force upright growth and hide your red cedars. Don't be too greedy with those though - at least 50 metres between them, even when they are hidden amongst other trees. When they are about 5 metres high they are supposed to be safe from attack.

Time: 16th June 2016 12:21pm

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About the Author Manfred
tully
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Dan says...
Any land that is subject to waterlogging and has acidic soil is very limited to the species suitable for use as cabinet timber.

Grevillea robusta has a very high tolerance to flooding and drought.

Corymbia ptychocarpa (Swamp Bloodwood) is a species that can tolerate extreme acidity - It can handle even acid sulphate soils and flooding.

Species such as Red Cedar (Toona ciliata, Paulownia spp, (Paulownia fortunei, Acacia spp and Black bean (Catanospermum australe)are ill suited to flood prone sites.

Time: 17th June 2016 6:04pm

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About the Author Dan19
Landsborough
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Malcolm says...
Thank you so much for your answers, it give me quite a lot to look into and discuss.

Time: 20th June 2016 7:16pm

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About the Author Malcolm
Gorokan
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Manfred says...
Whilst I agree generally that flood prone sites are not suitable for acacias and castanospermum, I didn't think "slopes with acidic soil that can get waterlogged" would be much of a problem, and I do know of a red cedar growing in a drainage ditch which stays wet sometimes for months on end.

Most rainforest trees need to be able to take a period of flooding. I think blackwoods are more tolerant those most other acacias.

I deliberately didn't mention any eucalypts, not just because I can never remember which are now called corymbias, but because the value doesn't seem to be there for furniture timbers. The ones which grow fast enough to be worthwhile don't seem generally highly-figured enough to be interesting. Good timber for building, but not for veneers or furniture.

Time: 20th June 2016 9:29pm

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About the Author Manfred
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