Victorian ash is an Australian hardwood and is sourced from two species of eucalypt. Mountain Ash (Eucalyptus Regnans) and Alpine Ash (Eucalyptus Delegatensis) which are similar in appearance and attributes. Tasmanian Oak is often used interchangeably with Victorian Ash however Tasmanian Oak is sourced from three species, Eucalyptus Regnans, Eucalyptus Delegatensis and Eucalyptus Obliqua commonly known as Messmate.
Naturally occurring in alpine areas of Victoria, Tasmania and New South Wales these timbers reach heights of over 100 meters. Relatively fast growing they are one of the tallest species of hardwood in the world and have an average lifespan of 400 years.
These tall straight Australian timbers have been harvested since the arrival of the earliest European settlers, predominantly used for building material and pulping. In the first half of the twentieth century demand for hardwood resulted in widespread clearing of Victorian Ash forests. In early 1907 the Forests Act was legislated and by the 1930’s reforestation programs were initiated. Today Victorian ash is harvested from sustainably managed forests.
Victorian ash is a pale pink to straw in colour. It is even grained with a uniform moderately course texture. Species Delegatensis can have a fiddleback appearance and growth rings are evident. The sapwood is approximately 2 to 3 centimetres and not easily discerned from the heartwood.
Attributes & Application
It has a moderately high strength rating and a low durability rating. Its low resistance to fungal decay and termite attack make it suited to interior use and above ground exterior applications only. The timber sands well and readily accepts paints, stains and polish. It is a good and relatively inexpensive option if you want to stain to colour match.
Price Guide: $
Sample Handles
Other Names
Alpine Ash, Gum topped stringy bark, White top (Eucalyptus delegatensis), Mountain Ash, Australian oak, Swamp gum (Eucalyptus regnans), Messmate (Eucalyptus Obliqua), Tasmanian oak, Gum-topped Stringybark, White-top, Blue-leaf.
Sources
https://tasmaniantimber.com.au/species/tasmanian-oak/#applications
https://www.woodsolutions.com.au/wood-species/hardwood/ash-victorian
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victorian_ash