River Red Gum
Scientific name: Eucalyptus camaldulensis
Overview
River Red Gum is one of Australia’s most visually distinctive hardwoods. Native to river systems across mainland Australia, it is known for its dramatic grain variation, rich reddish-brown coloration, and frequent gum veins.
Unlike the more uniformly structural Australian species, River Red Gum often displays bold character features, making it highly desirable in slab furniture and live-edge applications. Its density and durability also make it suitable for exterior use, though it is most commonly appreciated for aesthetic value.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: River Red Gum
- Scientific Name: Eucalyptus camaldulensis
- Region: Oceania & Pacific Hardwoods (Australia – widespread across mainland regions)
- Tree Size: 80–150 ft tall, 3–6 ft trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: 55 lbs/ft³ (880 kg/m³)
- Janka Hardness: 2,140 lbf
- Color: Pale pink to deep reddish brown, often with darker streaks
- Grain: Interlocked
- Texture: Medium to coarse
Identification Characteristics
River Red Gum is identified by its bold heartwood coloration and frequent natural character markings. Boards often show sweeping grain movement, darker streaking, or gum veins — natural resin-filled pockets that create strong visual contrast.
Color ranges from warm red-brown to darker chocolate tones. The grain is typically interlocked, and the texture moderately coarse. It develops a strong luster when finished.
Key identification traits include:
- Rich red-brown color
- Pronounced grain movement
- Gum veins or darker streaking
- Heavy weight
- Strong visual character
Working Properties
River Red Gum is dense but workable with proper tooling.
- Moderate blunting effect on tools
- Interlocked grain may cause tear-out
- Sands well
- Takes oil finishes exceptionally well
- Stable when properly dried
It performs particularly well in slab and table-top applications when carefully kiln dried.
Safety Note
Wood dust may cause irritation in sensitive individuals. Standard dust extraction and respiratory protection are recommended.
Common Uses
River Red Gum common uses including:
- Live-edge slab tables
- Furniture
- Flooring
- Exterior decking
- Heavy construction
- Turned objects
Sustainability & Notes
River Red Gum forests are managed under Australian forestry systems. Availability can vary by region and environmental regulations, as many stands grow along protected waterways.
Reclaimed material is common in furniture markets.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Red Ironbark – A very dense Australian hardwood known for its strength and durability, often used in heavy construction and outdoor applications.
Jarrah – A durable eucalyptus hardwood widely used in flooring and exterior projects, typically slightly less dense but highly stable.
Spotted Gum – A strong and versatile hardwood commonly used in structural applications and flooring, generally lighter in color and easier to machine.
Related Guides
How to Identify Hardwood by Grain Pattern
River Red Gum’s interlocked grain and gum veins make it an excellent example of natural character features.
Density & Hardness Explained (Janka Scale Guide)
At over 2,000 lbf, it ranks among high-density commercial hardwoods.
Building a Documented Wood Collection
Because of its dramatic figure variation, labeled samples help capture species character accurately.
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
River Red Gum is a highly desirable collector species due to its strong visual variation. Samples showing gum veins, contrasting streaks, or pronounced grain movement are particularly valuable for a documented wood library. Because color and character can vary significantly between boards, multiple samples may better represent the species’ range. Smaller, flat-sawn pieces clearly display its natural contrast and texture.
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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.
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Contributions help fund the continued expansion of this archive while promoting sustainable forestry education and the long-term appreciation of the world’s forests.
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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.
Lumber Suppliers:
Availability varies — see the Where to Buy Exotic Woods page for current sources.
Related Tools & Products:
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• 80-Piece Threaded Insert Nuts and Furniture Screw Set for creating strong, reusable threaded connections in woodworking, furniture building, and shop projects
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• Power Tool Organizer with Charging Station for organizing cordless drills, batteries, chargers, and other power tools while keeping your workshop neat and efficient
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