Jarrah is the common name for Eucalyptus marginata, a hardwood tree native to south-west Western Australia. Its mature heartwood is dark red, its sapwood usually pale yellow, and its timber is used for flooring, furniture, joinery, framing and other applications. The right use depends on the timber’s grade, exposure and project requirements—not just the species name.
What is jarrah?
Jarrah belongs to the Myrtaceae family and grows naturally only in south-west Western Australia. Under favorable conditions, it can reach 30–40 metres tall, with a stem diameter of up to 2 metres, according to Queensland Government’s Australian timber guide and the Western Australian species sheet.
Jarrah is the tree species and its timber; it should not be confused with the broader jarrah forest ecosystem or with unrelated people and products that share the name. In the wider context, south-western Australian eucalypt forests are dominated by jarrah and karri. ABARES reported in 2019, using the 2018 State of the Forests reporting basis, that eucalypt forest overall covered 101 million hectares, or 77% of Australia’s native forest area. Those figures describe all eucalypt forest, not jarrah forest specifically.
What does jarrah wood look like?
Queensland Government describes mature jarrah heartwood as dark red and its sapwood as usually pale yellow. The texture is moderately coarse and even. Interlocked grain may create a fiddleback figure, a visible pattern that can make individual boards look different from one another.
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Color and figure describe appearance, not a guarantee of uniformity or performance. When selecting boards for a visible surface, assess the actual material, grade and finish rather than relying on the species name alone.
What are jarrah’s reported timber properties?
The Forest Products Commission (FPC) of Western Australia’s 2020 species sheet reports the values below. They are species reference data, not a complete design specification for a particular product, grade or building project.
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- Optimal Size: the single strip measures about 12 x 2 x 0.75 inches/ 30.48 x 5.08 x 1.91 cm; The uniform size is convenient for layout and splicing; This size is the good size for making small cutting boards
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| Property | Value reported by FPC, Western Australia, 2020 |
|---|---|
| Green density | About 1,170 kg/m³ |
| Air-dry density | About 820 kg/m³ |
| Basic density | About 670 kg/m³ |
| Tangential and radial shrinkage before reconditioning | 7.5% and 5.0%, respectively |
| Tangential and radial shrinkage after reconditioning | 6.7% and 4.6%, respectively |
| Green and dry strength groups | S4 and SD4, respectively |
| Dry modulus of rupture | 112 MPa |
| Dry modulus of elasticity | 13,000 MPa |
The FPC sheet says jarrah can be worked with sharp tools and notes that a planer angle may need to be reduced to 15° when dressing. The sheet also records decay and decay-plus-termite durability ratings of 3 and 2, respectively, under CSIRO’s 1996 rating system. Those ratings are tied to that system; they do not, by themselves, establish suitability for a particular exposure, ground-contact condition or regulated building use.
What is jarrah timber used for?
Queensland Government’s timber guide lists jarrah for a range of sawn and decorative applications. Its documented uses include:
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- Building and interiors: general house framing, flooring, linings and joinery.
- Furniture and crafted items: indoor and outdoor furniture, turnery and parquetry flooring.
- Fencing and historical applications: fencing, as well as historical use in wharves, bridges, railway sleepers, cross arms, poles and piles.
The guide specifically does not recommend jarrah for poles in-ground in pole-frame construction. More broadly, a list of species uses is not a substitute for checking the product’s grade, treatment or condition, the intended exposure, and the applicable project requirements.
How should you assess jarrah for a construction project?
Use project-specific information to decide whether a particular jarrah product is appropriate. The species profile alone does not establish the structural capacity or service life of an individual piece.
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- SUPERIOR PENETRATION – Use this product as a wood sealer for your outdoor projects. The protector for wood penetrates deep into the dense, resin-rich woods for the ultimate protection and natural beauty.
- RICH, NATURAL COLOR – Better than deck paint or other products, Timber Oil deck stain accentuates natural wood depth and patina for beautiful results that last. Natural wood stain is available in 4 wood toned colors.
- IDEAL FOR – Use for outdoor furniture protection, as a deck stain or fence stain, and so much more. It’s ideal for decks, siding, railings, and outdoor furniture.
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- Define the application and exposure. Distinguish an interior finish from a structural member or an exterior component, and identify whether the timber will be exposed to weather or ground contact.
- Check the actual product and grade. Confirm the supplied timber’s grade and relevant documentation against the requirements for its intended use; do not infer a design value from general species data.
- Verify compliance and detailing. For structural, ground-contact or regulated applications, consult the applicable building requirements and a qualified professional. Do not extrapolate the FPC sheet’s species figures or durability ratings into an approval.
- For visible work, inspect appearance and finish. Color, grain and figure can vary, and the moderately coarse texture and possible interlocked grain may affect the look of the finished surface.
How does jarrah compare with another timber?
A useful comparison depends on the job, not on a blanket ranking of species. Compare like-for-like products and check the same factors for each:
- intended application and exposure;
- appearance and expected variation;
- grade and applicable strength information;
- density and weight;
- durability classification and the rating system behind it;
- workability, including any machining considerations;
- availability and sourcing.
The cited species information does not provide a like-for-like comparison between jarrah and a named alternative. Choose on the basis of product-specific evidence and project needs rather than assuming jarrah is always stronger, more durable or more suitable outdoors.
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