Wandoo is commonly called 'white gum', and is usually a medium to large tree up to 25 m height and with diameter at breast height (dbh) to 0.8 m, but is occasionally found up to 30 m tall and 1m dbh. Wandoo grows in the 380 to 500 mm rainfall zone of south-west Western Australia, either in broad shallow valleys or on low ridges, with the best wandoo forests occurring between Darkan and Quindanning and up to Toodyay.

Wood description [more info]
Heartwood is yellow to light reddish brown, and the sapwood band is very narrow.

Wood density [more info]
Green density is about 1280 kg/m3, air-dry density about 1100 kg/m3, and basic density about 920 kg/m3.

Shrinkage [more info]
Tangential and radial shrinkage before reconditioning are 4.0 and 2.5 per cent respectively, and after reconditioning 2.6 and 2.3 per cent respectively.

Workability [more info]
The timber is difficult to work because of its high density but machines to a smooth surface. The grain is interlocked or wavy and careful drying is required to avoid checks and end splits.

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

Strength group and properties [more info]
Green and dry strength groups are S2 and SD3. The more important strength properties are given in the table below.

Uses [more info]
Uses of wandoo have been mainly for heavy and light construction, poles, sleepers, and flooring. The bark and wood were harvested in the past because they contain commercial quantities of tannins, the extraction of which was once a medium-sized industry in the wandoo area.

Availability [more info]
Limited quantities of flooring, decking and posts are available in Western Australia.