Thread: Cherry Beech?

Could be Antarctic beech, which is also called cherry wood, cherry myrtle or myrtle. A bit obvious I guess but it is pinkish and has the fine grain properties you describe.

cheers
Steve

Thanks Steve - I looked that one up, and it could be.

I think I'll have to ask them what species it is, as looking at the photos on my wood identification site it could be any one of several 'beeches'........

I had it down as:

Timber in Australia in Colour

especially with the NZ connection. Incidentally, the above site has excellent pics of timbers to help identification, just in case anyone hasn't seen it.

Cheers

It could possibly be what we use here at work. I think its sold here as pink/red beech which is abit different to silver beech. It darkens nicely over time after it has been finished and also takes a stain well.
Makes great chopping boards as the pores are really really tiny.

KorDes - is the red beech readily available in NZ? This 'cherry beech' planes really nicely, although nothing like cherry or beech !

You've touched on my second question, which was how it keeps its colour on exposure to light. I had visions of it doing something like cherry, which darkens considerably in the first 6 months or so after being finished.

I'll stick this sample out in direct sun, see what it looks like in a few months. It was the light pink colour that initially drew me to this timber, so I hope it doesn't end up too dark.

Cheers

Cherry Beech is Silver Beech from NZ that is steamed for a set time and the KD.The steaming brings out light to dark pink.In most cases it is FSC .We use it in furniture we make.The timber itself will not darken,however the finish you apply may do so.We've been using it for the last 3 years and have not noticed any problems with the timber.

Thanks pineforyou - I gather that NZ Red Beech and Silver Beech are closely related, and the naming of 'Cherry Beech' probably has more to do with the way it is treated (i.e. steamed).

Doesn't seem to darken too much with a coat of Wipe-On Poly, so if it keeps the pinkish tones I'll be happy.

Cheers

Mr Bush,
Is it this timber123531d1259905383-right-out-box-newfolder6-043-1.jpg (JPEG Image, 480x360 pixels)
I got a 3m length of this NZ beech a few years back when I started turning. That bit under the plane is the last of it. Mathews timber sell it as NZ beech. It works and turns well, has a pink tinge and is about as hard as pacific maple. It turned very well but is a bit lacking in feature. Would look ok in large furniture items. The turnings I did have darkened a bit over time.
Regards
John

Yup - that's pretty much it. Similar colour and grain to the sample I have.

I agree about the lack of figure; but I should be able to select some 'interesting' boards, as my supplier has plenty in stock. Reminds me of Rock Maple when planing the stuff....

Thanks to all for your help in identifying this timber !!

John - just out of interest, what make of wooden plane is that???

I tried blowing the pic up to see the label on the side, but the jpg doesn't have enough resolution.....

Cheers

Beech is readily available here in NZ. It is a pale pink colour with the heart a distinctive darker pink.

Some of the boards have amazing fiddlyback/curly grain, which my boss doesnt like.

I made a small beech chopping board that has darkened abit with the oil finish, but I dont know how your cherry beech will darken over time.

Mr Bush,
The plane is a mujingfang I got from China. They mostly do Chineese planes but that is a copy of a European design. I posted this in the hand tools section just the other week(right out of the box). I have a few of their planes now and they are very good for the cost. Carbatec have a few but do not mention the mujingfang name.
Regards
John

looks similar to some qld cherry i have ..... distantly related perhaps