WA Sheoak

Allocasuarina fraseriana

WA Sheoak is a medium-sized tree up to 15 m tall and 0.5 to 1 m in diameter at breast height. It occurs in south-west Western Australia in the coastal and hinterland region from Perth in the north to near Albany in the east, where it is an understorey species in the jarrah (E.marginata) forest. There is a small isolated population between Moora and Jurien Bay.

Wood description [more info]
Heartwood is dark-red to brown, and the sapwood pale yellow. The texture is moderately fine and even, and the medullary rays are prominent as in other members of the genus.

Wood density [more info]
Green density is about 1000 kg/m3, the air-dry density about 730 kg/m3, and the basic density about 620 kg/m3.

Shrinkage [more info]
Tangential and radial shrinkage before reconditioning are 4.5 and 1.2 per cent respectively, and after reconditioning 1.7 and 1.0 per cent respectively.

Workability [more info]
As regards workability, the timber is relatively easy to work.

Durability [more info]
Durability Class remains a tentative 2, because the species was not included in the CSIRO 1996 revised ratings list. The species provides specialty timber that would not be used in-ground. Sapwood is Lyctus-susceptible.

Strength group and properties [more info]
The green and dry strength groups are (S5) and SD6. The more important strength properties are given in the table below.

Uses [more info]
Uses include furniture (both indoor and outdoor), decorative woodwork and turnery, roofing shingles, flooring and panelling. Until the advent of the aluminium cask it was a favoured species for beer barrels.

Availability [more info]
Limited quantities are available in Western Australia.