Salmon gum is commonly a medium to tall tree up to 20 m and 0.6 m diameter, with branches spreading upwards and outwards, and a glossy green crown. Under favourable conditions the tree can reach 30 m. The smooth reddish pink bark of late summer fades to grey. The species is found from York to east and south-east of Kalgoorlie/Boulder.

Wood description [more info]
Heartwood is red to red-brown, and straight-grained.

Wood density [more info]
Green density is about 1160 kg/m3, air-dry density about 1040 kg/m3, and basic density about 870 kg/m3.

Shrinkage [more info]
Tangential and radial shrinkage are about 5.8 and 4.0 per cent respectively.

Workability [more info]
Goldfields craftsmen rate salmon gum as good for turning, machinability, boring, screwholding, stability, sanding, gluing and finishing.

Durability [more info]
The wood is very durable, and would be classified in CSIRO Durability Class 1.

Strength group and properties [more info]
Green and dry strength groups are (S2) and (SD3). The brackets indicate conservative provisional ratings based on the air-dry density. The strength properties in the table below are from Julius (1906).

Uses [more info]
The wood was extensively used for round and sawn mining timber, firewood and second class railway sleepers. The timber has now been used for flooring and panelling, and assessed for use in musical instruments as flute headjoints and for furniture manufacturing.

Availability [more info]
Availability is limited.