Brown mallet is a small to medium-sized tree, 10-25 m in height and with diameter at breast height (dbh) to 0.7 m, occasionally up to 30 m tall and diameter 1 m. Found in south-west Western Australia on the drier, inland side of the jarrah (E. marginata) forest, in the 300 to 400 mm rainfall zone. It occurs from north-west of York to Narrogin and Wagin, south to GMT Barker and east to near Kondinin, Lake Grace and Ravensthorpe. About 8000 ha of plantations were established near Narrogin.

Wood description [more info]
Heartwood is light red-brown to dark grey-brown, with reddish streaks, and the sapwood is up to 30 mm wide and distinctly paler.

Wood density [more info]
Green density is about 1120 kg/m3, air-dry density about 980 kg/m3, and basic density about 770 kg/m3 (published figures). In comparison, CALM Timber Technology measured 1130 kg/m3, 1090 kg/m3 and 865 kg/m3 for the three densities.

Shrinkage [more info]
Tangential and radial shrinkage before reconditioning are 7.1 and 5.5 per cent respectively, and after reconditioning 4.4 and 3.6 per cent respectively.

Workability [more info]
With workability, the timber is rather hard to work but dresses well. The grain is often interlocked and the timber is easy to dry.

Durability [more info]
The Durability Class based on the CSIRO 1996 ratings is 2/1 for <decay, and 2 for decay + termites.

Strength group and properties [more info]
Green and dry strength groups are S1 and SD2. The more important strength properties are given in the table below.

Uses [more info]
Uses have been for general construction (particularly on farms), tool handles, mining timbers and fuel. The bark has high tannin content (40 per cent or more), and this could be used for tanning leather and for adhesives manufacture.

Availability [more info]
There is limited availability in Western Australia, and timber is generally marketed around the Narrogin area.