Timber identification please?

**steck** · 10th May 2010, 01:10 PM

Hi all!,
I recently collected a large hunk of timber to turn into a huge green bowl.
I am hoping someone can help me to identify the type of wood
The trunk was about 75 cm thick and looks like a "gum tree". Unfortunately there were no leaves at the site.
Even though it is green and wet this is the hardest timber I have turned. It took me 4 hours just to rough out the outside of the bowl and about 3 hours the next day to hollow out the inside. Not helped by the fact that I had to keep the revs low at about 400 RPM for balance. I just had to keep taking thin shavings and do a lot of sharpening.
The color of the timber in the pics is about right - a very pale oak color but as it dries it seems to be going browner. The bark is about 30mm thick.
Anyone have any ideas what it is?
I ended up with a 47cm bowl weighing in at 11kg, wet weight. I've oiled it and wrapped it in paper to dry out. Fingers crossed that it won't crack.

**Texian** · 10th May 2010, 02:03 PM

That's a big one. Hope it dries successfully.

Looks like some of that hard-a$$ Australian timber.

**brendan stemp** · 10th May 2010, 02:06 PM

If it aint a eucalypt then it could be an english plane tree, quite common in your neck of the woods. They are often found in street plantations. If I could see a close up of the finished bowl I could give a more confident answer. If it is Plane tree it is great stuff. I really like it as a turning timber.

**steck** · 10th May 2010, 02:21 PM

Originally Posted by brendan stemp

If it aint a eucalypt then it could be an english plane tree, quite common in your neck of the woods. They are often found in street plantations. If I could see a close up of the finished bowl I could give a more confident answer. If it is Plane tree it is great stuff. I really like it as a turning timber.

Here is a closer shot!

**Rhys_holland** · 10th May 2010, 02:21 PM

i am no expert but the trunk looks to me like Eucalyptus maculata or spotted gum

**brendan stemp** · 10th May 2010, 03:14 PM

No, not a plane tree. Looks to be a Eucalypt, perhaps lemon scented gum (e. citriodora)

**jimbur** · 10th May 2010, 03:41 PM

Couldn't be sugar gum could it?
Jim

**Sawdust Maker** · 10th May 2010, 04:02 PM

My first thought was spotted gum
but could be lemon scented gum
I've attached two photos which I know to be lemon scented gum - tree has been down for about 6 months

Attachment 136647 Attachment 136648

**DJ’s Timber** · 10th May 2010, 07:54 PM

I'm thinking Lemon Scented Gum or Spotted Gum

**steck** · 10th May 2010, 08:48 PM

Thanks for the suggestions. I found out that Lemon scented gum used to be called Eucalyptus maculata var. citriodora, so they must be closely related and similar.
So lemon scented or spotted gum seems to be getting the vote so far!

**steck** · 11th May 2010, 11:06 AM

Anyone like to venture odds on the bowl drying without splitting?
If it was so hard green I can only imagine what it will be like to turn when it has seasoned!????

**pjt** · 12th May 2010, 12:44 AM

My vote would be Lemon Scented Gum with those pinkish bits in the bark, whitish featureless bark and darkish heartwood colour and its a bit hard

Pete

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