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Species

Major species: Tristania merguensis Griff and T. whiteana Griff. Other species: T. obovata R. Br.

General Characteristics

Sapwood: Pink brown or red brown, usually grading into darker heartwood but occasionally distinct. Heartwood: Pink brown, red brown or purple brown. Texture: Fine and even; grain interlocked and sometimes wavy. Weight (Air-dry): Wood hard or very hard and heavy to very heavy ranging from 57-78 lb/cu.ft. with an average of 63 lb/cu ft. Durability: Reputated to be a very durable wood, but no recent test result are available. Related species have been tested in other countries and found to be very durable under all conditions and even resistant to termite and marine borers attacks.

Structure

Growth rings Absent. Vessel few to moderately numerous, medium sized to very large, mostly large; exclusively solitary and arranged in bunched groups (festoons); tyloses abundant in some species but scanty in others; deposit absent. Wood Parenchyma abundant in short tangential lines running across the rays, appering like rungs of a ladder. Rays very fine, visible to the naked eyes. Not conspicuous on radial surface. Ripple marks absent. Intercellular canals absent.

Other Features

Lather test negative .

Uses

The timber is suitable for all heavy constructional works, posts, tools and handles, boat framing and other marine constructions. It should also be suitable for heavy-duty flooring.