Acacia (wattle) genus — Identification, Uses and Properties
Acacia Fabaceae
Highly versatile; used for both indoor and outdoor furniture, decorative items, and heavy-duty applications like cutting boards.
HARDWOOD AUSTRALIA, ASIA, AFRICA, PACIFIC ISLANDS FURNITURE
Taxonomy & Nomenclature
Botanical Name(s)
Acacia
Family
Fabaceae
Wood type
Hardwood
Local Names
Wattle (Australia), Australian Blackwood (Australia), Mulga (Australia), Koa (USA/Hawaii), Earpod Wattle (Asia)
Origin Region
Australia, Asia, Africa, Pacific Islands
Main End Uses
Furniture · Flooring · Cabinetry · Veneer · Kitchenware · Turned objects · Shipbuilding · Tool handles
Wood Identification Guide
Reference Colour
Medium to dark brown
Texture
Medium to large pores
Grain
Straight, figured, or interlocked
Sapwood
Clearly defined, light yellowish-white
Interlocked Grain
Sometimes present
Notes
Wood identification keys: Heartwood ranges from medium to dark brown with sharply demarcated sapwood. Pores are medium to large and diffuse-porous. Parenchyma is primarily vasicentric. Many species exhibit distinctive figured grain patterns like curl (ringed). Wood may fluoresce under black light.
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Log Description
Diameter
50-60 cm
Buoyancy
Variable
Diameter
19.7-23.6 in
Physical & Mechanical Properties
Density
655 g/cm³ @ 12% MC
Density
40.9 lb/ft³
Tangential Shrinkage
7.7 %
Radial Shrinkage
4.4 %
T/R Anisotropy Ratio
1.8
Crushing Strength
65.5 MPa
Crushing Strength
9,500 psi
Bending Strength (MOR)
113.1 MPa
Bending Strength (MOR)
16,404 psi
Modulus of Elasticity (MOE)
13,580 MPa
Modulus of Elasticity (MOE)
1,969,612 psi
Durability & Treatment
Resistance to Decay
Durable to Very DurableDry Wood Borers
ModerateTermites
HighTreatability
VariableUse Class
3-4Drying Schedule & Risks
Drying Rate
Fast
Risk Distortion
Moderate to High (cupping and warping)
Risk Checking
Low
Sawing & Machining
Blunting Effect
Moderate to High
Tooth For Sawing
Standard to Tungsten Carbide
Machining Tools
Sharp tools required
Suitability Peeling
Good
Suitability Slicing
Good
Notes
Workability is generally good, though interlocked grain can pose challenges during machining.Assembling & Finishing
Nailing Screwing
Good, pre-boring recommended
CITES & Trade Restrictions
CITES Status
Unlisted
Trade Notes
Most species within the Acacia genus are not listed in the CITES Appendices.
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