Native willow

Callistachys lanceolata

Native willow is a small tree to 8 m tall, usually multi-stemmed but often single-stemmed, with light mottled grey bark. It grows on the Nullarbor, Goldfields and Murchison. It is widespread through the semi-arid and arid areas, and commonly found in small clumps in creek beds.

Wood description [more info]
Heartwood is blonde with a characteristic patterned grain resembling snakeskin.

Wood density [more info]
Green density is about 1145 kg/m3, air-dry density about 805 kg/m3, and basic density about 640 kg/m3.

Shrinkage [more info]
Tangential and radial shrinkage are about 7.4 and 3.3 per cent respectively.

Workability [more info]
Goldfields craftsmen rate native willow as good for screwholding and gluing, and excellent for turning, machinability, stability, sanding and finishing.

Durability [more info]
-

Strength group and properties [more info]
Green and dry strength groups are (S4) and (SD5). The brackets indicate conservative provisional ratings based on the air-dry density. The more important strength properties based on strength groups are given in the table below.

Uses [more info]
In recent times the timber was found to have considerable potential for craftwork.

Availability [more info]
Availability is limited.