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.

• Decking

• Exterior Stairs

• External Cladding

• Flooring

• Structural Timber Poles

• Sleepers

• Docking Blocks

• Poles

• Harbour Fenders

• Pergolas

• Outdoor Furniture

• Bollards

• 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

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

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)