Thread: Oz equivalent of Locust (Black)

If you go to here http://www.blacklocustlumber.com/pic...comparison.jpg it gives you a comparison of the janka hardness of locust. It appears about the same as padauk.

regards

harold

Originally Posted by pal

If you go to here http://www.blacklocustlumber.com/pic...comparison.jpg it gives you a comparison of the janka hardness of locust. It appears about the same as padauk.

regards

harold

Thanks Harold. Found the link useful and informative. However what would be an Australian equivalent for building here in the Southern Highlands of NSW is my question. Would it be Iron Bark for example?
Cheers,
Michael

Black locust is present in Australia but getting hold of it is not that easy as it is not common or for it to be common in millable quantities. I milled a small quantity of it in 2007 but it is not for sale. I suggest placing an ad in the wanted section and see what turns up.

Iron bark is like steel compared to Black locust. The North americans think it is a hard wood but it's like butter compared to many Aussie species.

Hi Michael,

I would suggest that your on the money with ironbark as it is high durability. The hardness in that application is not the issue. If you could source some old crowns left from logging on a western cattle block with the sapwood rotted off (10-15 years?) then you should easily be able to cut plenty of mini blocks off and not have problems with the blocks loosening as the sapwood rots off.

Regards Timboz

Originally Posted by Michael Breen

Reading an American book, "Sheds the do it yourself guide for backyard builders" David & Jeanie Stiles I came across a charming little shed and would like to do something like it. The article suggests using Locust (Black) but I have not heard of it in Australia. Does anyone know of an Oz equivalent? Basically you cut the logs into 5" long pieces and use them as bricks with mortar made from cement and sawdust. Cheers, Michael

Just thought I would add a bit. I came across an 80 year old tree 20 odd years ago and had it milled. Not knowing it's type exactly I approached the CSIRO with a sample and they clarified it for me. It was "black Locust" They also said it's density was greater than redgum. Just for those that don't know It's called a pseudoacacia because it is in a type all on it's own but closely resembles an acacia
Robinia pseudoacacia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
As for finding them in Aus. They were a favored tree of the British settlers. Many of the colonials planted them. For instance they line some of the roads on Philip Island Tasmania. They usually sucker profusely. There are a few around here. Mount Gambier District.
Tim

Originally Posted by timboz

Hi Michael,

I would suggest that your on the money with ironbark as it is high durability. The hardness in that application is not the issue. If you could source some old crowns left from logging on a western cattle block with the sapwood rotted off (10-15 years?) then you should easily be able to cut plenty of mini blocks off and not have problems with the blocks loosening as the sapwood rots off.
Regards Timboz

Grateful to Timboz and all for the responses. I have no special commitment to Black Locust as such, but want an Australian equivalent. Could you, please, explain what you mean by "old crowns ona western cattle block", Timboz?
I am not sure which state the west is of and what is a crown.
Best Wishes, Michael

Originally Posted by Michael Breen

Grateful to Timboz and all for the responses. I have no special commitment to Black Locust as such, but want an Australian equivalent. Could you, please, explain what you mean by "old crowns ona western cattle block", Timboz?
I am not sure which state the west is of and what is a crown.
Best Wishes, Michael

Michael,

Crowns are the tops of trees above any trunk that is removed as sawlogs. Most pastoralists sell some standing trees to sawmills every decade or so and the crowns of the trees are left lying in the paddock. I'd say most wouldn't mind you setting to them with a chainsaw for free or for very little. Having said that I'd say that your in for a lot of work - do some calculations about how many mini logs you will have to cut so that you know what you are up against. THere should be ironbark west of you (Robertson). Ring a timber mill and ask. Also you could use the western acacias which are very durable.

Regards, Timboz

Thanks Mate, I'm a little less ignorant. And I will look into ironbark west of here. I have a few ideas. I wonder if that acacia you mention is what is called Sally around here or sometimes Tasmanian Blackwattle which grows around here and is very stable. I felled one in the back yard three years ago and the wood is in good shape.
As for the amount of logs or log bricks I need I was thinking of starting with one small section under a window.
Cheers,
m

As others have said ironbark is perhaps the best wood for this as locust will be hard to obtain. You will have to give some thinking time to how you will manage white ants in this kind of construction whatever wood you use. Sawdust in the cement mix would be like an invite to dinner for those beasties. Perhaps a concrete footing to about 300mm above ground level and termite mesh barrier. Then build away with the wood blocks on top if that.
Regards
John