Lyptus, or more commonly known as Eucalyptus, is a hardwood species of the myrtle family (Myrtaceae). The scientific name Eucalyptus urograndis indicates that the commercial wood is a hybrid of two species: Eucalyptus grandis and E. urophylla.
Here’s everything you need to know about Eucalyptus Wood, including its properties, appearance, workability and uses.
Did you know? – Lyptus® is not the actual name of this tree or species. It’s the brand name by which it is marketed and sold in many places around the world. The commercial wood, Eucalyptus urograndis is a hybrid of Eucalyptus grandis and E. urophylla, the two popular species of the Eucalyptus genus.
About Eucalyptus Wood
The Eucalyptus wood is strong, hard, and heavy, however, the exact properties will differ from one species to another. For instance, the light-coloured species of Eucalyptus are less dense than the darker boards.
Eucalyptus hardwood is a famous construction timber that is sourced from fast-growing shrubs and trees growing in tropical regions and plantations in Brazil and other parts of the world. Eucalyptus is considered an environmentally-friendly and sustainable wood that not only looks incredible but is also quite easy to work with and is available at a cheaper price than alternatives such as mahogany and hickory.
Eucalyptus is also a versatile wood and can be used in many applications, ranging from the construction of support beams, flooring and plywood to interior millwork, cabinetry, lumber, panelling, and exterior applications such as fencing and shades, and speciality items.
Properties of Eucalyptus Wood
Tree: Eucalyptus trees are about 65-100 ft (20-30 m) tall, have a 3-4 ft (1-1.2 m) trunk diameter and grow on plantations in Brazil.
Eucalyptus Appearance: Eucalyptus wood looks premium in its natural colour which ranges from lighter salmon pink to a darker brownish red. It looks similar to Black Cherry and Honduran Mahogany. The colour of the wood gets darker with age. It has a medium texture and a straight and even grain. Patterns & defects such as knots are very few.
Weight & Strength of Eucalyptus: It is a strong and dense wood with an average dried weight of around 850 kg/m3. In terms of strength, Eucalyptus is compared with the likes of mahogany and oak.
Durability: Eucalyptus is a moderately durable wood with decent resistance to decay and rot. It can be used outside but should not be in constant contact with moisture. The wood is gullible to insect attacks. It is prone to denting and doesn’t split easily.
Workability: Eucalyptus timber is generally easy to work with. It is easy to glue, finish and stain.
Price: Eucalyptus is less expensive than similar hardwood species. It is reasonably priced for imported wood and is also easily available.
Technical Properties of Eucalyptus Wood :
- Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): .60, .85
- Janka Hardness: 1,420 lbf (6,330 N)
- Modulus of Rupture: 17,110 lbf/in2 (118.0 MPa)
- Elastic Modulus: 2,049,000 lbf/in2 (14.13 GPa)
- Crushing Strength: 8,640 lbf/in2 (59.6 MPa)
- Shrinkage: Radial: 8.2%, Tangential: 12.8%, Volumetric: 21.0%, T/R Ratio: 1.6
Top 5 Uses of Eucalyptus Wood
Eucalyptus is used in many applications, including construction, interior, exterior, and commercial uses. It is a beautiful and strong wood with moderate durability, which makes it a wonderful alternative to expensive hardwood options such as mahogany and hickory.
Common uses of Eucalyptus wood include flooring, interior millwork such as doors, panels, mouldings and trims, plywood, lumber, cabinetry, and speciality items.
Some top uses of Eucalyptus wood are as follows:
1. Wooden Fencing
Eucalyptus is widely used for making poles for use in fencing for gardens, properties, parks and in zoos. Eucalyptus fencing looks appealing in its natural brownish-tan colour and gives a rustic appearance to the place. It is also quite strong and durable and can withstand exposure to the sun when used outside. Because Eucalyptus timber is easily available in the shape of panels and rolls and a variety of sizes, it can be readily used for fencing without needing expert installation.
2. Wooden Panelling
Eucalyptus is one of the best woods to give a natural appearance to your place (similar to bamboo). It is widely used for making wooden panelling that helps create a calm atmosphere in the house. Because Eucalyptus takes stains very well, it can be made to fit any styling or interior design. It is prone to denting and doesn’t split easily even under high pressure, which makes Eucalyptus suitable for use in high-traffic areas.
3. Building Material
Eucalyptus is a wonderful and sustainable construction material having high-strength and durability. Due to these exceptional properties of eucalyptus wood, it is well-suited for structural construction, including support beams and other building structures. Moreover, it is an environmentally friendly wood that will provide good support wherever it is used, even in exterior construction.
4. Wooden Shade
Wood is also commonly used for making shade structures for both residential and commercial buildings. Eucalyptus is a perfect wood for building shade structures, from poles for support posts and rafters to beautiful Eucalyptus frames to be used as a trellis for an outdoor sitting or dining area, this is the best wood for exterior wooden shade.
5. Millwork
Millwork refers to construction using items that are produced in a mill. Eucalyptus is widely used for making decorative building pieces and materials for use in doors, windows, mouldings, trims, handrails and panels. Eucalyptus millwork can give a wonderful and classic appeal to your place as well as offer added strength to your property. Being easy to work with machines, Eucalyptus is quite easy to turn into desired shapes for interior mouldings.
Where to buy High-Quality Eucalyptus Wood?
There are many obvious reasons to likr Eucalyptus for your next project. If you are ready to buy one of the world’s most beautiful hardwood timbers, you can contact us at White Knight Consulting Ltd to enquire about the best price for Eucalyptus wood. It is a company that specializes in the supply of eucalyptus wood & is known for providing high-quality, sustainable eucalyptus wood to customers all over the world.
It is a leading manufacturer, wholesaler and supplier of premium hardwoods and softwood timber in countries like Australia, Canada, Vietnam, Germany, UAE, South Africa, Turkey, and many more. All our woods are sustainably-sourced and are either naturally durable or pressure-treated to improve their strength and resistance. Contact us to know more about our Eucalyptus timber, availability and prices.
