Eucalyptus Camaldulensis | Red River Gum
Red River Gum is an iconic Australian timber prized for its brilliant red colour. It ranges from red to reddish brown. Texture is relatively fine and even. Grain is usually interlocked and often wavy, producing an attractive "fiddelback" pattern. Gum veins are common. Can be used for both interior features and exterior construction.
Scientific Name: Eucalyptus Camaldulensis
Preferred Common Names: Red River Gum
Discription
The eucalypt originates in Australia where it has a wide distribution across the country. Eucalyptus Camaldulensis grows throughout South Africa, particularly in the Western Cape, Northern Cape, Gauteng and Free State. It was introduced to South Africa in the mid to late 1800's.
The specie is found in privately owned farm woodlots, windbreaks, tree lined avenues and riparian zones.
River Red Gum yields a beautiful red to reddish brown timber. It is classified as a "Class 1 Heavy Hardwood" for above ground applications and a "Class 2 Heavy Hardwood" for in ground applications.
Uses
It It is particularly suited to situations requiring high strength where appearance is also important. If left untreated externally it will turn a silvery grey colour overtime. Red River Gum polishes to an elegant finish sometimes displaying characteristics such as fiddle back. It has a fine interlocked grain.
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Decking
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Exterior Stairs
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External Cladding
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Flooring
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Structural Timber Poles
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Sleepers
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Docking Blocks
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Poles
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Harbour Fenders
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Pergolas
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Outdoor Furniture
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Bollards
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Fencing
Properties
An extract from " The Mechanical Properties of Timbers - With particular reference to those grown in the Republic of South Africa" published by C.H. Banks (South African Forestry Research Institute).
Dry Mass per kg
Modulus of rupture
Fibre stress at P.L. (Point Load)
Modulas of elastisity
Compresstion parallel to grain
Compression perpendiccular to grain
Shear parallel to grain
Impact Bending
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961 kg/m3 (Wet density 1100 - 1150kg/m3)
117 MPa
80 MPa
14616 MPa
68.2 MPa (Maximum crushing strengh)
26 MPa (Stress at 2.54mm deflection)
12.2 MPA (Stress at Point Load)
13.8 MPa (Maximum shearing strengh)
32.1 MPa (Toughness)