Rough-barked apple

Color/Appearance: Heartwood is a light reddish brown. Contrasting sapwood is pale yellow. Gum veins are common, and can appear as defects in the facegrain of the wood. Quartersawn pieces with interlocking grain display a ribbon-stripe figure somewhat reminiscent of satinwood.

Grain/Texture: Grain is straight to interlocked. With a coarse texture and good natural luster.

Rot Resistance: Rated as moderately durable to non-durable; poor insect resistance.

Workability: Tends to be somewhat difficult to work on account of its frequent grain defects. Glues and finishes well.

Odor: No characteristic odor.

Allergies/Toxicity: Besides the standard health risks associated with any type of wood dust, no further health reactions have been associated with rough-barked apple—possibly due to its relative obscurity. Many species in the closely related Eucalyptus genus can cause skin irritation, as well as a number of other health reactions. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.

Pricing/Availability: Not harvested or available commercially for structural lumber. Limited quantities can be found regionally—usually as firewood or fencing material. Expect prices to be moderate.

Sustainability: This wood species is not listed in the CITES Appendices, but is reported by the IUCN as being near threatened. Technically it doesn’t meet the Red List criteria of a vulnerable or endangered species, but is close to qualifying and/or may qualify in the near future.

Common Uses: Fences, firewood, and small, specialty wood items.

Comments: None.