Thread: albizzia

Albizzia canescens (hoary), known as "Throw-i-ee" and native to Queensland. A fine spreading tree with hairy young shoots and adult foliage more or less hoary with a very minute oppressed pubescense, the pinnae usually two pairs, the common petiole 2 to 4 inches long, each rhachis 3 to 6 inches, the leaflets five to eight pairs on the terminal pinnae, very obliquely obovate and unequally narrowed at the base, mostly 3/4 to 1 inch long. The wood, resembling walnut, is of a dark colour, nicely marked, and suitable for cabinet work.

From "Native Trees of Australia", James Audas, Whitcombe & Tombs Pty Ltd. (Probably published about 1930).

Hope this helps

Apart from the last sentence of that quote, I understood about three fifths of half of it

That's more than I understood

The last sentence is the useful part.

Albizia (only one Z) is a rather varied species.
Do you know the verity?

Here are a few of the Australian ones.
The ones at the top of this list are dry country timber & the ones at the bottom are wet country timber.

Red lancewood Albizia basaltica
Dead-finish Albizia basaltica

False Wattle Albizia lophantha
Flin Albizia xanthoxylon

Acacia Cedar Albizia toona
Red Siris Albizia toona
Mackay Cedar Albizia toona

Lebbeck Albizia lebbek
White Siris Albizia lebbek
White Siris Albizia procera
Rain Siris Albizia procera

Another timber we have here in FNQ that is not a native but grows very well is RAIN TREE [rain tree] also called monkeypod, a large leguminous tropical tree ( Albizia saman or Samanea saman ) of tropical America.

Albizia Toona, common name Red Siris.Heartwood dark red with some yellow streaks, used for furniture,flooring,panelling,turnery & joinery.
Albizia xanthoxylon, common name Yellow Siris. Heartwood golden brown, used for sills,joinery, panelling & boatbuilding.
Info from Wood in Australia by Keith Bootle.
Cheers
Barry

Thanks to all for your responses. The species is apparently albizzia fastigiata. I haven't been able to find much with a quickish google, but it appears that the albizzias are good timber trees, so should be OK. As I said, it's a dark chocolate brown with whitish sapwood. One butt log of about 800 diameter and 2m or so long and a large secondary about 400 diameter. I'll be cutting it today, with a bit of luck.

Originally Posted by Exador

Thanks to all for your responses. The species is apparently albizzia fastigiata. I haven't been able to find much with a quickish google,......

Try the search again & this time spell it with one Z.

These are very common trees in the Top End. Generally Albizia Lebbek which is similar to the rain tree (samanea saman) and not to be confused with Ear Pod (enterolobium cyclocarpum). They are all very similar in terms of the wood and grow quite large. Watch the sapwood. It is very susceptible to the lictus beetle which can reduce the sapwood to an awful powdery mess in a short time. It is almost impossible to get rid of the pest. We have tried insecticides and even freezing (yes, in the local cool strores) but to little avail. For turning I would recommend cutting the sapwood away before putting the wood on the lathe. The dust can almost choke you and I know of some people who are allergic to the timber. Apart from that it finishes well and has nice grain although a bit splintery.

Originally Posted by Cliff Rogers

Try the search again & this time spell it with one Z.

Thanks, Cliff.