Australian equivalent to Boxwood?

[Gassy]

Per the subject, is there a relatively close equivalent to European/English boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) in an Australia wood? I am wanting similar hardness, colour (uniformly pale, almost white) and ability to take a thread.

Ivorywood (Siphonodon australis) might be a candidate but it's possibly even more rare.

Alternatively does anyone supply Buxus sempervirens locally?

I should add I am only after small pieces, approx 50mm diameter.

[issatree]

Hi Gassy,
I think Cotoneaster might be the go.
Not into Bot. Names, but it is very hard, Turns Superbly, does take a thread.
Really a Nuisance Tree, but I love it to death, one of the better turning woods.

[orraloon]

Not a native but mulberry would come close. I have not tried to thread it but i think it would be ok. It is a pleasure to turn and makes great tool handles.
Regards
John

[turnerted]

I agree with cotonyaster but also try camelia .It is hard, dense and takes a thread but is a pinkish colour.
Ted

[hughie]

Try this
Orange Boxwood (http://www.ttit.id.au/treepages/orangeboxwood.htm)

or
English Holly | The Wood Database - Lumber Identification (Hardwood) (http://www.wood-database.com/english-holly/)

[NeilS]

English Holly | The Wood Database - Lumber Identification (Hardwood) (http://www.wood-database.com/english-holly/)

+1 for Holly


Stay sharp!

Neil

[dai sensei]

+2 Holly

Not native to Aus but does grow here and available through a few stockists, although not cheap. Light hard timber is hard to come by in an Aussie timber, the closest you would get would be one of the light browns like Blackbutt or similar, or yellows like the Mulberry or Black Locust

[clear out]

When they started up the suburbs in Canberra each had their own shrub.
One had Holly which if there were any left would a very harvestable size.
I did some research on this after using Holly on a sculpture I made in Canada, great stuff to work with.
I have a bit of Ivorywood in the shed somewhere scored it when the Forestry sold off their collection at Putney. Printers love it.
Rock Maple is nice also you may get that dimension from the old 9 pin lanes there pulling up all over.
H.

[brendan stemp]

I have a few offcuts lying around. Email me: [email protected]