Scientific Name
Orites excelsa
Trade Name
Prickly ash
Family Name
Proteaceae
Common Names
Prickly ash, Red ash, Silky oak, Southern silky oak, White beefwood
Regions of Distribution
Oceania and S.E. Asia
Countries of Distribution [VIEW MAP]
Australia
Common Uses
Boat building (general), Cabinetmaking, Carvings, Cooperages, Furniture, Joinery, Paneling, Plywood, Railroad ties, Tables, Vehicle parts, Veneer
Heartwood Color
| Brown | ||||||||||||
| Red | ||||||||||||
| Pink | ||||||||||||
| Red | ||||||||||||
| Pale brown |
Sapwood Color
| White | ||||||||||||
| Pink | ||||||||||||
| Yellow | ||||||||||||
| Paler than heartwood |
Grain
| Even | ||||||||||||
| Figure | ||||||||||||
| Distinct (figure) | ||||||||||||
| Straight |
| Distinct figure | ||||||||||||
| Straight | ||||||||||||
| Figure shows rays |
Texture
| Medium | ||||||||||||
| Fine | ||||||||||||
| Medium to coarse |
Luster
| Medium |
Natural Growth Defects
| Whitish deposits in vessels |
Natural Durability
| Susceptible to insect attack | ||||||||||||
| Non-resistant to powder post beetles | ||||||||||||
| Perishable | ||||||||||||
| Non-resistant to termites | ||||||||||||
| Non-durable | ||||||||||||
| Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles | ||||||||||||
| Moderately durable | ||||||||||||
| Durable |
Drying Defects
| Distortion | ||||||||||||
| Collapse | ||||||||||||
| Internal Honeycombing Possible |
Ease of Drying
| Fairly Easy |
Kiln Drying Rate
| Rapid | ||||||||||||
| Drying rate is fairly rapid to fast |
Tree Size
| Bole length is 10-20 m | ||||||||||||
| Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm | ||||||||||||
| Tree height is 30-40 m | ||||||||||||
| Sapwood width is 5-10 cm | ||||||||||||
| Tree height is 10-20 m | ||||||||||||
| Tree height is 20-30 m | ||||||||||||
| Sapwood width is 10-15 cm | ||||||||||||
| Tree height is 40-50 m | ||||||||||||
| Bole length is 20-30 m |
Comments
General finishing qualities are rated as good
Boring
| Fairly easy to very easy |
Cutting Resistance
| Easy to saw |
Gluing
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Easy to glue |
Nailing
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
Planing
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
Resistance to Impregnation
| Resistant heartwood | ||||||||||||
| Resistant sapwood |
Response to Hand Tools
| Easy to Work | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work | ||||||||||||
| Easy to machine | ||||||||||||
| Moderate working qualities |
Screwing
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
Turning
| Easy to turn |
Polishing
| Very Good to Excellent Results | ||||||||||||
| Fair to Good Results |
Strength Properties
| Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. | ||||||||||||
| Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Tangential = large | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Radial = very small | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Radial = small | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Radial = moderate |
Numerical Data
| Item | Green | Dry | English |
| Density | 37 | lbs/ft3 | |
| Weight | 36 | 29 | lbs/ft3 |
| Radial Shrinkage | 3 | % | |
| Tangential Shrinkage | 10 | % | |
| Item | Green | Dry | Metric |
| Density | 592 | kg/m3 | |
| Weight | 576 | 464 | kg/m3 |
| Radial Shrinkage | 3 | % |
References
Anderson, R.H.,1947,The Trees of New South Wales,New South Wales Department of Agriculture
Audas, J.W.,Native Trees of Australia,Whitcombe & Tombs PTY. Ltd
Australia – N.S.W. Forestry Commission,1988,Furniture Timbers of New South Wales,Forest Commission, N.S.W., Aust. Tech. Publication No.1
Bootle, K.R.,1971,The Commercial Timbers of New South Wales and their use,Angus & Robertson (publishers) PTY Ltd
Francis, W.D.,1951,Australian Rain-forest Trees,Commonwealth of Australia – Forestry and Timber Bureau