 Lacewood (Cardwellia sublimis)
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Common Name(s): Lacewood, Northern Silky Oak, Australian Silky Oak Scientific Name: Cardwellia sublimis, Roupala brasiliense Distribution: Australia, New Zealand, and India Tree Size: 50-80 ft (15-25 m) tall, 6 ft (2 m) trunk diameter Average Dried Weight: 33 lbs/ft3 (530 kg/m3) Hardness: 710 lbf (3,160 N)* *Estimated hardness based on specific gravity Bending Strength: 9,520 lbf/in2 (65,660 kPa) Elasticity: 1,293,000 lbf/in2 (8,920 MPa) Shrinkage: Radial: 3.0%, Tangential: 6.0%, Volumetric: 9.0%, T/R Ratio: 2.0 |
Color/Appearance: Has a very conspicuous flecking that gives this wood its namesake. The wood itself is a reddish brown with darker brown “lace” patterning. Like other woods that exhibit the strongest figure in quartersawn pieces, (such as Sycamore), Lacewood has the most pronounced figure and displays the largest flecks when perfectly quartersawn; this is due to the wood’s large medullary rays which run perpendicular to the growth rings, (whose layout can be seen the clearest when looking at the endgrain).
Grain/Pore: Has a fairly coarse texture. The grain is usually straight.
Durability: Lacewood is rated as non-durable and is also susceptible to insect attack.
Workability: Overall a fairly easy wood to work with, taking glues, stains, and finishes well; though there may be some difficulting in planing, with tearout occurring. Lacewood also has a moderate blunting effect on cutting edges.
Smell: There is no characteristic odor associated with this wood species.
Safety: Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, Lacewood has been reported as a skin irritatant. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.
Price Range: Prices for Lacewood vary depending upon the specific species, but tend to be fairly high. This is most likely from the high costs associated with importing from Australia. (Some Lacewood is also imported from South America.)
Comments: The name “Lacewood” is used very loosely and can be applied to a number of different wood species. The mechanical/physical properties and numbers listed above are only for one species, and could vary widely depending on which actual species of wood is used.
Virtually any wood that displays figuring that looks like lace is called Lacewood. Attempts to identify a specific board may be difficult.
None available.
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Lacewood (sanded) |
 Lacewood (sealed) |
July 1st, 2010 at 8:47 am
Have had severe reaction to Lacewood. Rash, itchyness, swelling of eyes and throat. Instructed by pharmacist to seek immeadite medical attention.Was prescribed antihistimine to deal with reaction. Rash continued for 2-3 weeks.Swelling lasted 1-2 weeks. More pronounced on sensitive areas. Reaction was a result of milling dry lumber and inhaling fine dust particles. Have known others to have same reaction. Highly toxic! Miserable.