| Name |
SOUTHERN SASSAFRAS
(Atherosperma moschatum)
Common Names:
Southern Sassafras, Tasmanian Sassafras, Blackheart
Sassafras |
| Distribution |
Tasmania, Victoria & a few small areas in
New South Wales |
| The
Tree |
The Tree: Small to medium sized, occasionally
reaching 25 metres tall and .75 metres in diameter.
The trunk is straight with horizontal branches and
a conical crown. The leaves are dark green on top
and much lighter underneath. Both surfaces are hairy
and the edges slightly toothed. They have a pleasant
fragrance and were sometimes used to make bush tea.
This species should not be confused with a related
species, Doryphora sassafras, growing mainly in
NSW. |
| The
Timber |
Sapwood light straw colour, heartwood straw colour
and sometimes pale grey to light brown. Fine texture,
moderately soft and average density. Older trees
often contain deeper browns through to black, hence
the name Blackheart.Very low tannin content, hence
use for clothes pegs and brushes; tannins in contact
with iron produce black stains on timber. |
| Seasoning |
A moderate amount of shrinkage and cupping can
occur. |
| Durability |
Not durable in exposed conditions |
| Uses |
In the past, used for clothes pegs, brush and
tool handles, shoe heels. Blackheart is now in great
demand for furniture, carving, turning, toys, panelling,
sounding boards for musical instruments. |
| Working
Qualities |
Works reasonably well, however Blackheart tends
to be abrasive on tools and requires extra effort
to remove abrasive paper marks across the grain
in turning. Bends and polishes well. |
| by
Keith Newbury, Newsletter of Woodgroup South Australia |
