Appearance: Heartwood dark golden yellow, turning a dark brown with exposure, often very variable in color when freshly machined showing blotches and streaks of various shades.

Characteristics: Known as the Noblest of Woods due to its durability and resistance to water and sun. Has the least coefficient of expansion and contraction of most hardwoods. Heartwood is rated as very durable with respect to decay fungi and termites. Grain straight, sometimes wavy; texture coarse, uneven (ring porous); dull with an oily feel; scented when freshly cut.

Weight: Basic specific gravity (ovendry weight/green volume) 0.55; air-dry density 40 pcf.

Janka Rating: 1155

Working Properties: Machines beautifully but due to silica content dulls tools. Tugnsten Carbide tooling is recommended. Dust may cause skin irritations. Silica content variable, up to 1.4% is reported.

Uses: Flooring, decking, paneling. Shipbuilding, joinery, furniture, carving, cabinetwork, paneling, turnery, tanks and vats, fixtures requiring high resistance to acids.