Tallowwood
Scientific name: Eucalyptus microcorys
Overview
Tallowwood is a dense, durable Australian hardwood known for its excellent performance in exterior and marine environments. Native to eastern Australia, it has historically been used in bridge construction, heavy decking, wharf timbers, and structural applications where resistance to wear and decay is essential.
The wood ranges from pale yellow-brown to olive-brown and often develops a slightly greasy or waxy feel when freshly cut — a characteristic that contributed to its common name.
Within the Oceania cluster, Tallowwood represents the high-performance outdoor durability niche.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Tallowwood
- Scientific Name: Eucalyptus microcorys
- Region: Oceania & Pacific Hardwoods (Australia – eastern regions)
- Tree Size: 100–150 ft tall, 3–5 ft trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: 63 lbs/ft³ (1,010 kg/m³)
- Janka Hardness: 1,930 lbf
- Color: Pale yellow-brown to olive brown, often darkening with age
- Grain: Interlocked
- Texture: Medium
Identification Characteristics
Tallowwood is identified by its pale yellow to olive-brown heartwood and moderately coarse texture. The grain is generally straight but may show mild interlocking.
The wood often appears lighter than Jarrah or Ironbark but remains heavy and dense. When freshly cut, it may have a slightly oily or waxy surface feel.
Key identification traits include:
- Yellow to olive-brown coloration
- Straight to slightly interlocked grain
- Medium-to-coarse texture
- Heavy weight
- Durable exterior character
Working Properties
Tallowwood is dense and moderately difficult to machine.
- Moderate tool wear
- Carbide tooling recommended
- Pre-drilling required for fasteners
- Sands well
- Glues adequately when properly prepared
Because of its density, it is frequently used in structural and outdoor applications rather than fine decorative furniture.
Safety Note
Wood dust may cause irritation in sensitive individuals. Standard respiratory protection is recommended during machining.
Common Uses
Tallowwood common uses including:
- Heavy decking
- Wharf and marine structures
- Bridge timbers
- Structural beams
- Exterior flooring
- Outdoor posts
Sustainability & Notes
Tallowwood is harvested under Australian forestry regulations and remains available from managed sources. It is valued for long service life in outdoor conditions.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Spotted Gum – A strong Australian hardwood widely used in flooring and structural applications, generally lighter in color and slightly less oily than Tallowwood.
Sydney Blue Gum – A dense eucalyptus species used in construction and flooring, typically less resistant to moisture than Tallowwood.
Red Ironbark – A very dense hardwood known for its exceptional strength and durability, often heavier and harder than Tallowwood.
Related Guides
Density & Hardness Explained (Janka Scale Guide)
Tallowwood ranks among high-density Australian hardwoods suitable for heavy wear.
Moisture Content & Long-Term Stability
Proper acclimation is critical in exterior decking applications.
How to Identify Hardwood by Grain Pattern
Understanding straight versus interlocked grain assists in machining dense eucalyptus species.
Compare Wood Properties
See how this species ranks in density and hardness using our Wood Density & Janka Hardness Chart. You can also explore Hardest Woods, Softest Woods, and Most Dense Woods for quick comparisons.
Collector Notes
Tallowwood is collected primarily as a durability reference species rather than for decorative figure. Its pale olive tone distinguishes it from red Australian hardwoods like Jarrah and Ironbark. Clean, flat-sawn samples best represent the species. Because of its density, smaller sample blocks are recommended for organized collections.
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Wood Sample Collection
This species is part of an ongoing effort to document and preserve wood samples from around the world.
Learn more about contributing to the collection:
Resources
Authoritative botanical and forestry references used in compiling information about this species include:
• USDA Forest Service – Wood Handbook: Wood as an Engineering Material
https://www.fpl.fs.usda.gov/products/publications/
• The Wood Database – Global reference for wood identification, physical properties, and woodworking characteristics
https://www.wood-database.com/
• Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew – Plants of the World Online – Botanical taxonomy and species distribution database
https://powo.science.kew.org/
• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN Red List) – Global conservation status assessments
https://www.iucnredlist.org/
• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) – International trade regulations for protected plant species
https://cites.org/
Additional forestry publications, academic research papers, and regional timber studies may also be referenced where available.
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Availability & Where to Buy
Exotic hardwood availability can vary significantly depending on region, sustainability regulations, and supplier inventory.
As this archive grows, recommended suppliers and specialty wood retailers will be listed here to help woodworkers locate responsibly sourced material.
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