Black morrel

Eucalyptus melanoxylon

Black morrel is a small to medium-sized tree scattered through the eastern Wheatbelt and central Goldfields, extending south-east of Lake King. The rough bark is dark brown to grey-black on the trunk, and smooth white, grey-white to salmon pink on the branches.

Wood description [more info]
Heartwood is dark brown with obvious growth rings.

Wood density [more info]
Green density is about 1165 kg/m3, air-dry density about 1130 kg/m3, and basic density about 870 kg/m3.

Shrinkage [more info]
Tangential and radial shrinkage are about 7.2 and 6.0 per cent respectively.

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

Durability [more info]
-

Strength group and properties [more info]
Green and dry strength groups are (S2) and (SD2), based on the air-dry density. Data from Melotte (1997) in the table below indicate SD2. Hardness tests were done by CALM in 1998.

Uses [more info]
The timber has considerable potential for woodturning and craftwork.

Availability [more info]
Limited availability because of the scattered nature of the resource.