Common Name(s): Kauri, dammara, kauri pine
Distribution: Tropical regions in Southeast Asia, Pacific Islands, and Australia and New Zealand
Genus Size: Around 20 species (varying by plus/minus a few depending upon how certain species are combined or split)
Mechanical Characteristics: Generally low to medium density for a softwood. Strength properties vary by species, but are generally only moderate for its weight.
Visual Characteristics: Trees tend to be very large, and yield timber with very little defects. Most species have a fairly monotone light brown wood with minimal grain patterns or figure. (One exception is some pieces of swamp kauri, which can have an iridescent grain figuring known as “whitebait.”
Identification: Lacks resin canals. Most species have very low grain contrast, with a gradual earlywood to latewood transition.
Species listing