Marri

Marri is commonly referred to as 'red gum'. Marri is usually a medium sized to tall tree up to 40 m in height with flaky grey bark, widely distributed in the south-west of Western Australia in the jarrah and karri forests. It extends from north of Geraldton southwards to Cape Riche, and eastwards to beyond Narrogin in the Wheatbelt.

Wood description [more info]
Heartwood is pale yellow to light brown to reddish brown, with sapwood bands up to 40 mm wide, usually sufficiently paler to be distinguishable from the heartwood.

Wood density [more info]
Green density is about 1200 kg/m3, air-dry density about 850 kg/m3, and basic density about 650 kg/m3.

Shrinkage [more info]
Tangential and radial shrinkage before reconditioning are 6.5 and 3.5 per cent respectively, and after reconditioning 5.6 and 3.4 per cent respectively.

Workability [more info]
Workability is good, with the timber being relatively easy to work, and nailing satisfactory.

Durability [more info]
Durability Class based on the CSIRO 1996 ratings is 4/3 for decay and 4/3 for combined decay + termites. Sapwood is Lyctus-susceptible.

Strength group and properties [more info]
Green and dry strength groups are S3 and SD3. The more important timber properties are given in the table below.

Uses [more info]
Uses are more restricted than for many other species. Sawmill recoveries are low because of the extensive occurrence of kino or gum veins. There is an increasing market for ' feature grade' timber for furniture use. The timber has been used in general construction, case manufacture, tool handles, sporting goods and oars. Preservative treated material is useful for piles, poles and fence posts. Marri is also the principal Western Australian species used for woodchips to manufacture pulp and paper.

Availability [more info]
Although there is a large resource in native forests, timber is available in small quantities only because of the incidence of kino veins. It is limited to Western Australia.