Myall
Scientific name: Acacia pendula
Overview
Myall (Acacia pendula), commonly known as Weeping Myall, is a distinctive Australian hardwood native to the arid and semi-arid regions of Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria. The species is easily recognized by its graceful drooping branches and silvery-gray foliage, which give mature trees a unique weeping appearance.
The wood is dense, durable, and attractively colored, ranging from medium brown to dark chocolate brown. Although not harvested on a large commercial scale, Myall is highly valued by woodturners, craftsmen, and collectors for its attractive grain, natural luster, and excellent working properties. The timber is frequently used for specialty woodworking projects, decorative items, and small crafted objects.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Myall
- Scientific Name: Acacia pendula
- Region: Oceania & Pacific Hardwoods (Australia)
- Tree Size: 20–40 ft tall, 1–2 ft trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: 60 lbs/ft³ (960 kg/m³)
- Janka Hardness: 2,400 lbf
- Color: Medium brown to dark chocolate brown
- Grain: Straight to slightly interlocked
- Texture: Fine and even
Identification Characteristics
Myall is recognized by its dense wood, dark coloration, and attractive natural figure. Heartwood typically ranges from medium brown to deep chocolate brown and may display darker streaking or subtle figuring. The wood develops a smooth, polished appearance and often exhibits a pleasant natural luster.
Its density and rich coloration distinguish it from many lighter Australian Acacia species.
Key identification traits include:
- Medium brown to dark chocolate-brown heartwood
- Dense and heavy weight
- Fine, even texture
- Straight to slightly interlocked grain
- Attractive natural figure
- Moderate natural luster
Working Properties
Myall works well with both hand and machine tools despite its density. The wood is particularly favored by woodturners due to its ability to hold detail and produce a highly polished finish.
- Machines cleanly with sharp tools
- Turns exceptionally well
- Holds fine detail in carvings
- Sands to a smooth polished surface
- Accepts oils and finishes beautifully
- Moderate tool wear due to density
Safety Note
Wood dust from Myall may cause skin, eye, or respiratory irritation in sensitive individuals. Appropriate dust collection and respiratory protection should be used during machining and sanding.
Common Uses
Myall is commonly used for:
- Turned objects
- Wood carvings
- Knife scales
- Decorative woodworking
- Furniture accents
- Boxes and specialty items
- Tool handles
- Craft projects
- Collector wood samples
- Small woodworking projects
Sustainability & Notes
Myall remains widespread across portions of inland Australia and is not currently considered threatened. The species is more commonly encountered as an ornamental or landscape tree than as a commercial timber source.
Because commercial lumber production is limited, most available material comes from land-clearing operations, storm-damaged trees, or specialty suppliers.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Gidgee – Generally harder and denser, with darker coloration and greater commercial demand among specialty woodworkers.
Mulga – Another dense Australian Acacia known for its durability and attractive grain patterns.
Hickory Wattle – A lighter-colored and more widely utilized Acacia species commonly used for furniture and cabinetry.
Related Guides
Understanding Wood Strength: What Makes Wood Strong?
Explains how density, hardness, and stiffness contribute to overall wood performance.
Density & Hardness Explained (Janka Scale Guide)
Provides context for comparing Myall’s hardness and density with other hardwood species.
How to Store Exotic Wood Samples
Offers guidance on preserving specialty hardwood specimens for long-term collections.
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
Myall is a desirable addition to Australian hardwood collections because it combines attractive coloration, good density, and limited commercial availability. Its association with Australia’s distinctive inland landscapes further enhances its appeal among collectors.
Samples displaying rich dark coloration, attractive grain, and natural figure are especially sought after for educational collections and specialty woodworking displays.
Share Your Photos of This Species
Do you have lumber, wood samples, tree photographs, woodworking projects, furniture, carvings, turnings, musical instruments, or other items made from this species?
Exotic Woods of the World welcomes photographs from woodworkers, collectors, sawyers, researchers, and wood enthusiasts around the world. Selected submissions may be featured on this page and throughout our website to help document and showcase real-world examples of this species.
When submitting photos, please include the common name, scientific name (if known), a brief description, and any information you would like us to share with the image.
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.
Love This Species?
Enjoy learning about this wood species?
Help support the continued growth of Exotic Woods of the World by participating in our Adopt a Species program. Your support helps fund species research, educational content, photography, videos, and future conservation awareness initiatives.
Support Forest Conservation
This species is part of the growing Exotic Woods of the World reference archive, dedicated to documenting and preserving knowledge of the world’s wood species.
Through the Adopt a Species program, visitors can help support ongoing species research, educational content, photography, video production, and future conservation awareness initiatives.
Contributions help fund the continued expansion of this archive while promoting sustainable forestry education and the long-term appreciation of the world’s forests.
Interested in supporting this species? Visit our Adopt a Species and Conservation Partners pages to learn more.
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.
Lumber Suppliers:
Availability varies — see the Where to Buy Exotic Woods page for current sources.
Related Tools & Products:
Availability varies — see the Where to Buy Exotic Woods page for current sources.
Share This Wood Species
Stay Connected
Follow the latest species additions, educational resources, videos, conservation initiatives, and major project milestones through our Site Updates archive.
The Site Updates archive provides a permanent record of new content, library growth, and future developments across Exotic Woods of the World.