Silver Wattle - ever heard of it? Maybe, if you are a specialist craftsperson or an old sawmiller.

There was a time when this remarkable timber was widely used; anything from World War II planes to coffins - even furniture. Then, somehow it dissappeared off the face of the map. Well metaphorically anyway.

Silver Wattle grows in abundance wherever there is Mountain Ash and it does so for a very important reason. Silver Wattle is a 'nursery' tree. It protects the young Ash seedlings against frosts, heat and insect damage. Then when the Mountain Ash are able to look after themselves, at age 25 to 40 years, the Silver Wattle dies. This sounds like a rather sad fate but it needn't be. For Silver Wattle could become a rising star as it has many of the properties of Blackwood, together with one unique advantage. It grows very fast and accordingly should prove to be an ideal species for plantations.

This is a tree that has the potential to supply wood for small furniture componentry at 15 years of age. The possibilities for the creation of highly exportable linings, veneers and furniture components is enormous. In Australia, we could be producing a budget range of products that would rival pine for price but have much of the appeal of Blackwood. Fortunately there are a few sawmills bringing this timber back into the market place.