Tasmania has an array of timbers unique to the State including Huon Pine, Tasmanian Myrtle, Sassafras, Tasmanian Eucalypt and Musk. These timbers come in a wide range of colours, patterns, textures and density which make them a pleasure to turn.
Huon Pine
Huon Pine trees are among the oldest organisms on earth. The trees grow in the cold, wet climate of Western Tasmania.
The density of the wood varies between the heart wood at the centre of the tree and the sap wood on its outer. The colours range from light yellow to a distinct orange. The wood has a very tight grain and can include other features such as 'white bait' which are white reflective streaks and 'birds eye' which are small knots. The wood has a distinctive aroma from its natural oils, which also preserves it.
Tasmanian Myrtle
Myrtle grows in both the North West and South West of Tasmania. The wood colour in the north is strikingly red whereas the southern wood is mainly brown, orange, and yellow.
Sassafras
The wood from the tree is most commonly soft muted greys. However when the tree is subject to fungus attack, dark staining of the wood can occur, creating a dramatic contrast in the wood colours known as 'black heart'. This is the wood I use for bowl turning.
Tasmanian Eucalypt
For me, the prize part of the Eucalypt for wood turning is the burl. The various types of Eucalypt create a range of different burls, often with voids, due to the larger amount of gum sap in these trees. The burl can form as a result from a range of things but is more commonly the result of insect attack. This starts the tree regeneration process to heal itself, forming the burl.
Musk
Musk has interesting grain patterns as well as its distinctive aroma and usually contains colours of yellow, cream, and brown. The tree is slow growing and mostly small in diameter. Burl on these trees is rare and highly prized.