Natural Timbers

Question 1

What are four different types of natural timbers?

Answer 1

Jarrah, Australian Oak, Radiata Pine, Douglas Fir

Question 2

What is the scientific name of Jarrah?

Answer 2

Eucalyptus marginata

Question 3

What is the scientific name of Australian Oak?

Answer 3

Eucalyptus obliqua

Question 4

What is the scientific name of Radiata Pine?

Answer 4

Pinus radiata

Question 5

What is the scientific name of Douglas Fir?

Answer 5

Pseudotsuga menziesii

Question 6

What are the timber testing techniques used to determine performance and suitability to end use/purpose?

Answer 6

Hardness - Janka hardness test
Stiffness/elasticity - placing weights in the middle of a plank between two supports
Workability - planing, nailing, chiseling, cutting

Question 7

What are the chemical properties of timber?

Answer 7

Flammable

Question 8

What are the physical properties of Jarrah?

Answer 8

Medium-high strength, high density level, difficult workability and moderate blunting effect on blades

Question 9

What are the physical properties of Australian Oak?

Answer 9

High strength, high density, difficult workability due to the timber splintering when cut

Question 10

What are the physical properties of Radiata Pine?

Answer 10

Low strength, low density, relatively easy workability

Question 11

What are the physical properties of Douglas Fir?

Answer 11

Medium strength, very low density, relatively good workability but blades must be kept sharp

Question 12

What does Jarrah look like?

Answer 12

Jarrah trees grow to around 40m high and a trunk of 3m in diameter
The timber is a deep reddish-brown to light pink colour with subtle, yet distinct grains

Question 13

How can Jarrah be used?

Answer 13

Railway sleepers, floorboards, fencing, outdoor furniture and joinery

Question 14

What does Australian Oak look like?

Answer 14

Trees grow up to 90m high and a trunk of 3m in diameter

The timber is light in colour varying from a straw colour to a brown/red colour with straight and subtle grains

Question 15

How can Australian Oak be used?

Answer 15

General construction, veneers, flooring and furniture

Question 16

What does Radiata Pine look like?

Answer 16

Commercial trees grow to around 30m in height and a trunk of 1m in diameter
The timber is a pale yellow/white colour with slightly darker, straight grains

Question 17

How can Radiata Pine be used?

Answer 17

Framing, plywood, veneers, construction and paper

Question 18

What does Douglas Fir look like?

Answer 18

Grows to around 100m in height and a trunk of 4-5m in diameter
The timber is a pale yellow colour with a distinct straight, but slightly wavy grain

Question 19

How can Douglas Fir be used?

Answer 19

Heavy construction, veneers, flooring, lining, joinery and turning