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Common Name(s): Australian Blackwood, Tasmanian Blackwood, Acacia Blackwood Scientific Name: Acacia melanoxylon Distribution: Native to Tasmania and eastern Australia; also introduced to Africa, South America, and southern Asia Tree Size: 65-100 ft (20-30 m) tall, 2-3 ft (.6-1.0 m) trunk diameter Average Dried Weight: 45 lbs/ft3 (730 kg/m3) Hardness: 1,100 lbf (4,890 N) Bending Strength: 15,250 lbf/in2 (105,170 kPa) Elasticity: 2,130,000 lbf/in2 (14,690 MPa) Shrinkage: Radial: 3.4%, Tangential: 9.0%, Volumetric: 12.4%, T/R Ratio: 2.6 |
Color/Appearance: Color can be highly variable, but tends to be medium golden or reddish brown, similar to Koa or Mahogany. There are usually contrasting bands of color in the growth rings, and it is not uncommon to see boards with ribbon-like streaks of color. Boards figured with wavy and/or curly grain are also not uncommon.
Grain/Pore: Australian Blackwood has small, open pores and a fine to medium texture. Grain is usually straight to slightly interlocked, and sometimes wavy.
Durability: Rated as moderately durable regarding decay resistance, though susceptible to insect attack.
Workability: Australian Blackwood is easily worked with both hand and machine tools, though figured wood and pieces with interlocked grain can cause tearout. Australian Blackwood turns, glues, stains, and finishes well.
Smell: There is no characteristic odor associated with this wood species.
Safety: Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, Australian Blackwood has been reported as a sensitizer. Usually most common reactions simply include eye, skin, and respiratory irritation. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.
Price Range: Although Australian Blackwood is considered an invasive species and a pest in some areas, the lumber is still fairly expensive, and figured wood is even costlier. It has been used as a lower-cost alternative to Hawaiian Koa.
Comments: Although called “Blackwood,” the name is somewhat of a misnomer, as its wood is not at all black. Rather, its lustrous golden brown grain has been used as a sustainable alternative to Koa. The species has been introduced to a number of regions worldwide—either as an ornamental shade tree, or on a plantation for lumber—and in many areas, the hardy tree species has become an invasive species.
Australian Blackwood compares very closely with Koa, and tends to be a bit denser, and stronger, while Koa is more stable, and is perhaps more inclined to have superbly figured grain. Australian Blackwood also tends to have a straighter grain, and slightly better machining characteristics than Koa.
Some common uses for Australian Blackwood include: veneer, furniture, cabinetry, musical instruments, gunstocks, turnery, and other specialty wood objects.
Scans/Pictures: There are currently no pictures of this wood species available for viewing. If you’d like to contribute wood samples to be scanned, (even small pieces of veneer can be sent), please use the contact form.
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