Stringybark, White

White stringybark is an Australian native hardwood species. Its timber products are suitable for a wide range of applications, from general building to wharf and bridge construction, boat building, outdoor furniture and turnery.

Other Names

Small-leaved Stringybark, Thin-leaved Stringybark, Wilkinson’s Stringybark, Pink Blackbutt

Botanical Name

Eucalyptus eugenioides

Common Form
Sawn
Species Type
Hardwood
  • Overview

    • White stringybark occurs along the coast and adjacent tablelands of New South Wales, extending north to Yarraman, Queensland, with isolated stands in the Carnarvon Range and Blackdown Tableland areas, and on elevated sites as far north as Cooktown. It is a medium-sized forest tree growing to 35 metres in height, with a stem diameter of up to one metre. The trunk is generally straight and of good form.

    The heartwood of this species is light brown to pale pink in colour. Sapwood is paler but not always clearly distinguishable from the true wood. Grain is generally uniform and medium-textured, but occasional interlocking can produce attractive figure in some samples.

    White stringybark is rated as a class 2 hardwood with an above ground life expectancy of up to 40 years, and an in ground life expectancy of between 15 and 25 years. It is not termite-resistant. Sapwood (but not heartwood) is readily impregnated with preservatives. White stringybark is not susceptible to lyctid borer (powder post beetle) attack.

    Although White stringybark is a very hard timber (rated 1 on a 6-class scale), it machines and turns well, and is amenable to the use of standard fastenings and fittings. It readily accepts paint, stains and polish. As with most high-density species, machining and surface preparation should be done immediately prior to gluing.

    The timber of this species is used across a range of applications. Sawn timber is used in wharf and bridge construction; as railway sleepers, cross-arms, poles, piles and mining timbers; and for general house framing and cladding, flooring and decking, linings and joinery. White stringybark is also used for fencing, landscaping and retaining walls. Other uses include outdoor furniture and turnery; boat, coach and carriage building; and structural plywood.

    Shrinkage

    Very Low Low Medium High Very High
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    Tangential : Provides a simplified rating for tangential shrinkage. This is the measure of the percentage reduction in dimension from the unseasoned to 12% moisture content condition.
    10.60%

    Radial : Radial shrinkage is perpendicular to the growth rings. It is shrinkage in the direction towards the centre of the tree. Measurement is % value
    5.60%

    Unit Movement Tangential: This is the percentage of dimensional change for each 1% moisture content change between about 3% moisture content and the fibre saturation point for the particular species.
    0.36%

    Unit Movement Radial: This is the percentage of dimensional change for each 1% moisture content change between about 3% moisture content and the fibre saturation point for the particular species.
    0.25%

    Strength Group Strength groups are given for unseasoned (S1-S7) and seasoned (SD1-SD8) timber in accordance with AS 2878. S1 and SD1 yield the highest strength and stiffness whereas S7 and SD8 yield the lowest.

    Very High

    High

    Reasonably High

    Medium High

    Medium

    Reasonably Low

    Low

    Very Low

    Unseasoned:

    S1

    S2

    S3

    S4

    S5

    S6

    S7

    S8
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    Seasoned:

    SD1

    SD2

    SD3

    SD4

    SD5

    SD6

    SD7

    SD8
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    Stress Grade A stress grade is defined in AS 1720 as the classification of timber for structural purposes by means of either visual or machine grading. The stress grade indicates the basic working stresses and stiffnesses to be used for structural design purposes. Measured in MPa.

    Structural
    No. 1    		 Structural
    No. 2    		 Structural
    No. 3    		 Structural
    No. 4    		 Structural
    No. 5

    Unseasoned:

    F17

    F14

    F11

    F8

    F7

    Seasoned:

    F27

    F22

    F17

    F14

    F11

    Density per Standard Seasoned density is based on moisture content of 12%. Unseasoned density is an approximation as it depends on the moisture content at the time of measurement. Measured kg/m3.

    Seasoned:

    855kg/m3

    Unseasoned:

    1120kg/m3

    Joint Group The joint group is a classification of the strength of a species in joint design. The values are from 1 (very high strength) to 6 (very low strength).

    Very High

    High

    Reasonably High

    Medium

    Low

    Very Low

    Unseasoned:

    J1

    J2

    J3

    J4

    J5

    J6
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    Seasoned:

    JD1

    JD2

    JD3

    JD4

    JD5

    JD6
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    Colour The colour of seasoned heartwood can vary between species and often within a species. The information provided should be used as a general guide only. In most cases, the colour of sapwood is either a lighter shade of the heartwood or a white/cream colour.

      White, yellow, pale straw to light brown Pink to pink brown Light to dark red Brown, chocolate, mottled or streaky
       
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    Mechanical Properties

    Modulus of Rupture - Unseasoned: This property is a measure of maximum stress which timber can momentarily sustain when loaded slowly and continuously as a beam. Measured in MPa.
    81

    Modulus of Rupture - Seasoned: This property is a measure of maximum stress which timber can momentarily sustain when loaded slowly and continuously as a beam. Measured in MPa.
    136

    Modulus of Elasticity - Unseasoned: This property is of importance in determining the deflection of a beam under load — the greater the stiffness, the less the deflection. Measured in GPa.
    13.4

    Modulus of Elasticity - Seasoned: This property is of importance in determining the deflection of a beam under load — the greater the stiffness, the less the deflection. Measured in GPa.
    17

    Maximum Crushing Strength - Unseasoned:

    Also referred to as compression strength. This property measures the ability of the timber to withstand loads applied on the end grain. Measured in MPa.
    44

    Maximum Crushing Strength - Seasoned: Also referred to as compression strength. This property measures the ability of the timber to withstand loads applied on the end grain. Measured in MPa.
    75

    Impact - Unseasoned: Provides the Izod value, which is the energy taken in joules (J) to fracture the timber.
    17.4

    Impact - Seasoned: Provides the Izod value, which is the energy taken in joules (J) to fracture the timber.
    18.6

    Toughness - Unseasoned: This is a measure of timber’s ability to resist shocks and blows, and is synonymous with impact strength. It is measured in Nm.
    Medium - 15 - 24 Nm

    Toughness - Seasoned: This is a measure of timber’s ability to resist shocks and blows, and is synonymous with impact strength. It is measured in Nm.
    Medium - 15 - 24 Nm

    Hardness - Unseasoned: Refers to the Janka hardness test and is a measure of timber’s resistance to indentation.
    6.4

    Hardness - Seasoned: Refers to the Janka hardness test and is a measure of timber’s resistance to indentation.
    9

    Durability

    Low Moderate Reasonably High High
    (0 - 5 yrs) (5 - 15 yrs) (15 - 25 yrs) (more than 25 yrs)

    In-Ground: Durability is defined as the inherent resistance of a timber species to decay, or to insect or marine borer attack. All references to durability refer to the heartwood only. A scale of low to high (durability class 4 = low; 1 = high) has been adapted for above and in-ground durability.

    		 Check mark
    (0 - 7 yrs) (7 - 15 yrs) (15 - 40 yrs) (More than 40 yrs)

    Above ground: Durability is defined as the inherent resistance of a timber species to decay, or to insect or marine borer attack. All references to durability refer to the heartwood only. A scale of low to high (durability class 4 = low; 1 = high) has been adapted for above and in-ground durability.

    		 Check mark
    (0 - 20 yrs, usually < 5) (21 - 40 yrs) (41 - 64 yrs) (More than 60 yrs)

    Marine Borer Resistance: Indicates whether a species is resistant (R) or not resistant (NR) to marine borer attack.

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    Lyctid Borer Susceptibility: Indicates whether a species is susceptible (S) or not susceptible (NS) to lyctid borer attack.

    Not Susceptible

    Lyctid Borer Susceptibility - Other:

    Termite Resistance: Indicates whether a species is resistant (R) or not resistant (NR) to termites.

    Resistant

    Fire Properties

    1 - non-combustible 2 - reasonably non-combustible 3 - slightly combustible 4 - combustible

    Fire Properties Group
    Number:

    Group Number - Other:
    3 if used on MDF or particleboard ≥12mm; veneer thickness 0.6-0.85mm

    Average Specific Extinction Area: This value is determined by the volume of smoke measured over the mass loss of the tested sample per test carried out in accordance with ‘Cone Calorimeter Test’ AS/NZS 3837. It is measured in units of m2/kg.
    <250

    Bushfire Resistance: Naturally bushfire-resisting timbers are those with inherent bushfire-resisting properties. Some species have been tested and a number are in the process of being tested and are measured by Bushfire Attack level (BAL). BAL -12.5: Ember attack, BAL – 19: Increasing levels of ember attack and burning debris ignited by windborne embers together with increasing heat flux between 12.5 and 19 kWm3, BAL – 29: Increasing levels of ember attack and burning debris ignited by windborne embers together with increasing heat flux between 19 and 29 kWm3.
    BAL 12.5 and 19 – All AS3959 required applications
    Appearance

    The heartwood of white stringybark is light brown, and occasionally pale pink in colour. Sapwood is paler in colour but not sharply differentiated. Grain is generally uniform and medium-textured, but occasional interlocking can produce attractive figure in some samples.

    Common Applications

    Timber from this species is used across a range of applications. Sawn timber is used in wharf and bridge construction; as railway sleepers, cross-arms, poles, piles and mining timbers; and for general house framing and cladding, flooring and decking, linings and joinery. It is also used for fencing, landscaping and retaining walls. Other uses include outdoor furniture and turnery; boat, coach and carriage building; and structural plywood.

     

    Workability

    White stringybark machines and turns well and can be used with standard fittings and fastenings. As with most high-density species, machining and surface preparation should be done immediately before gluing. White stringybark readily accepts paint, stains and polishes.

     

    Origin of timber
    NSW
    Readily Available
    NSW
    White stringybark is a common east-coast species.
    Source of timber
    Native Forest
    a kitchen with wooden cabinets and a countertop

    Joinery

    Timber joinery offers a classic, stylish touch to any interior or exterior space.

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