Raspberry jam

Acacia acuminata

Raspberry jam is generally a small tree 10 m tall with bole length of 2.0 to 2.5 m, but commonly a bushy shrub 3 to 5 m tall with short main stem and numerous spreading branches. It occurs from Kalbarri to the South Coast, and common in the Wheatbelt area on gently undulating topography. However, most vegetation in that area has been cleared for agriculture. The best development is in low woodland and tall shrubland, associated with York gum and salmon gum, with mallee species, or with wandoo in south-westerly areas of the Wheatbelt. Associated shrubs include Acacia microbotrya.

Wood description [more info]
Heartwood is dark-reddish brown and very hard. The grain is attractive, with fiddleback a common feature. Freshly-cut timber has a sweet smell similar to raspberry jam , hence the common name.

Wood density [more info]
Green density is about 1260 kg/m3, air-dry density about 1040 kg/m3, and basic density about 940 kg/m3.

Shrinkage [more info]
Tangential and radial shrinkage before reconditioning are 1.8 and 1.2 per cent respectively. One sample assessed by CALM was 1.4 per cent and 1.0 per cent respectively.

Workability [more info]
Workability is good, with the timber being relatively easy to work.

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

Strength group and properties [more info]
Green and dry strength groups are (S2) and (SD2). The brackets indicate conservative provisional ratings based on the air-dry density.

Property	Units	Green	Dry
Modulus of Rupture	MPa	86	130
Modulus of Elasticity	MPa	14200	18500
Max Crushing Strength	MPa	43	70
Hardness	KN	-	-

Uses [more info]
The trunks make excellent fence posts, and sawn timber strainers and rails. The wood has been used for ornamental articles, machine bearings and sheave blocks. It is being assessed for the manufacture of stringed instruments.

Availability [more info]
Limited availability because of clearing restrictions in the Wheatbelt region.