Araucariaceae
Agathis (Araucariaceae) Ratings 1 to 5 (best)
Available Sizes
- 4/4 through 8/4
Distribution
Widely distributed in Indochina, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, and extending to New Guinea, New Zealand, and Fiji. Found from sea level to high altitudes.
General Description
Heartwood pale cream, golden brown, to dark reddish or yellowish brown if resinous; usually not distinct from the sapwood. Lustrous; grain mainly straight; texture fine and uniform; generally without distinctive odor or tastes (A. australis has a faint pleasant odor).
Availability
Available in dimension stock and lumber.
Working Properties
The timber works easily with hand and machine tools, finishes with a clean smooth surface; good nailing and screwing properties; good veneer peeling characteristics; paints and polishes well; easy to glue.
Physical Properties
Generally reported to be nondurable and vulnerable to termite attack; prone to blue stain. Heartwood of A. australis is moderately durable in ground contact.
Main Uses
Vats and tanks, patternmaking, millwork, boatbuilding, furniture components, face veneers, shingles, pencil slats. Trees are tapped for its copal used in varnishes and lacquers (A. alba).