Castle Howard Arboretum Trust - Furniture Makers Trees

Botanical name: Acacia melanoxylon

Family: Leguminosae

Common Name: Blackwood Acacia

Habitat and Distribution

A Native of rainforest areas in south-eastern Australia, and Tasmania from sea level to 1000m, it thrives in swamp and riverine areas, it was introduced to W Europe 1808.

It has also been introduced as a forestry planting to Hawaii, New Zealand, and South Africa where it is best adapted to cool, moist sites.

Blackwood acacia is a moderately fast growing species and regenerates from seed in its native range (copious seedling recruitment is responsible for its invasiveness in South Africa). In Hawaii its main and possibly only means of reproduction may be vegetative through root sprouting

Blackwood acacia is apparently fire-stimulated, with prolific regeneration from seed after fire.

Description

A deciduous tree to 30 m (100 ft). The juvenile leaves are soft, finely divided and coloured a rich green, as it matures the true leaves are replaced by 'phyllodes', which are expanded leaf stalks. The flowers are fluffy balls of stamens, pale cream in colour and rather scattered among the dense foliage of the tree. The pods are long and tend to be curled and twisted and when the pods open, the blackish seeds are seen to be surrounded by a bright red aril (the expanded seed stalk).

Location within the arboretum:

Unfortunately we have none of these trees. We have tried on two separate occasions to introduce them but on both occasions the trees failed to grow. Perhaps the cool, moist sites of south-eastern Australia and Tasmania are somewhat different from the cool, moist sites in North Yorkshire.

Furniture Makers Trees at The Arboretum - Kew at Castle Howard

Timber

The stunning timber radiates a subtle beauty that makes it irresistible to many designers. It boasts a variety of colours ranging from light golden-brown to deep brown (sometimes with a reddish tint) and occasionally shows black streaks. The sapwood is straw coloured. Additional character is in the grain, which can be straight or wavy with a natural lustre. It is easily worked, very stable and is long lasting.

Particular care needs to be taken to avoid the inhalation of Blackwood dust as furniture makers have noticed an increase in hay fever, rhinitis, conjunctivitis and other respiratory problems.

Trees are harvested at about 70 years.

Uses

Large boards of timber are available up to 285 mm wide, 45 mm thick and 5400 mm long which allows its use in solid for boats, furniture and panelling.

More recently the production of high quality veneers has increased its versatility for joinery, cabinet making, and feature panelling and musical instruments.

Small cross sections of solid timber are also used for lamination, particularly for bench tops.

It is also used for turning as it turns very well with sharp arrises and well finished curves.