Summary
A striking wood with rich red, pink and brown tones, Myrtle is a medium sized hardwood belonging to the same family as the beeches in NZ and South America. It is the major species found in Tasmanian rainforests. With colour varying from pink to a warm reddish brown, this timber is even-textured and has a fine grain that can be straight, interlocked or feature a fiddleback pattern.
Myrtle can produce knotty wood and burls, which are highly coveted and invariably favoured and sought by craftspeople. Myrtle makes an excellent veneer and finishing timber, delivering a very smooth finish. It is also suitable for steam bending and turning, and is traditionally used for spindle turning and bowls.
Suitability
Furniture
Joinery
Cabinetry
Feature paneling
Flooring & parquetry
Veneer
Craft
Technical data
Density (kg/m3) unseasoned
1100
Density (kg/m3) seasoned
700
Strength Group - unseasoned
S4
Strength Group - seasoned
SD5
Radial Shrinkage %
2.5
Tangential Shrinkage %
4.5
Lyctid Susceptible
Yes
Stability
Good
Colour
Pale pink to deep red
Durable
Not for external use
Grain
Straight, fine & even, occasionally wavy
Texture
Fine, uniform & smooth
Nailing
Good
Screwing
Good
Sawing
Excellent
Moulding
Excellent
Turning
Excellent
Bending
Excellent
Gluing
Satisfactory
