Tasmanian Myrtle
Scientific name: Nothofagus cunninghamii
Overview
Tasmanian Myrtle, often called Myrtle Beech, is a beautiful hardwood native to the cool temperate rainforests of Tasmania and southeastern Australia. Despite its common name, it is not a true myrtle but a member of the southern beech family (Nothofagus). The tree produces a richly colored timber that ranges from pale pink to deep reddish brown.
The wood is highly valued for fine furniture and cabinetry due to its attractive color, fine texture, and ability to take a smooth finish. Tasmanian Myrtle has been widely used in Australian woodworking and remains one of the most recognizable timbers from the region.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Tasmanian Myrtle
- Scientific Name: Nothofagus cunninghamii
- Region: Oceania & Pacific Hardwoods (Australia – Tasmania & southeastern regions)
- Tree Size: 60–100 ft tall, 2–4 ft trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: 43 lbs/ft³ (690 kg/m³)
- Janka Hardness: 1,350 lbf
- Color: Pale pink to reddish brown, sometimes with darker streaks
- Grain: Straight to slightly interlocked
- Texture: Fine and even
Identification Characteristics
Tasmanian Myrtle typically displays a pinkish to reddish-brown heartwood that can darken with age. The grain is usually straight but may occasionally show slight interlocking. The wood has a fine, even texture and often exhibits a natural luster when finished.
Key identification traits include:
- Pink to reddish-brown color
- Fine and even texture
- Straight or slightly interlocked grain
- Smooth natural luster when finished
Working Properties
Tasmanian Myrtle is generally easy to work with both hand and machine tools. The wood machines cleanly and finishes well, making it a favorite for furniture makers and cabinet builders.
- Machines well with hand and power tools
- Cuts cleanly with minimal tear-out
- Gluing and finishing properties are excellent
- Sands to a very smooth surface
Safety Note
Dust from Tasmanian Myrtle may cause irritation in some individuals. As with most hardwoods, proper dust collection and personal protective equipment are recommended.
Common Uses
Tasmanian Myrtle is widely used in fine woodworking due to its attractive color and smooth finishing qualities.
- Fine furniture
- Cabinetry
- Interior joinery
- Flooring
- Turned objects
- Decorative woodworking
Sustainability & Notes
Tasmanian Myrtle forests are carefully managed through sustainable forestry practices in Australia. The species grows in cool temperate rainforest environments and plays an important ecological role in these ecosystems.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Australian Blackwood – Another well-known Tasmanian timber with darker brown coloration.
Queensland Maple – A Pacific-region furniture wood with lighter color and uniform grain.
Hawaiian Koa – A related Pacific-region hardwood valued for its decorative figure.
Related Guides
How to Identify Exotic Hardwood by Grain Pattern
Tasmanian Myrtle’s fine, even texture makes it a good example of straight-grained decorative hardwood.
Moisture Content & Long-Term Stability
Proper drying helps maintain stability in furniture woods like Tasmanian Myrtle.
How to Store Exotic Wood Samples
Keeping Myrtle samples in stable humidity helps preserve their natural color and grain.
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
Tasmanian Myrtle is popular among wood collectors due to its rich color and smooth grain. Some boards display attractive figure or subtle curl, which can make samples especially desirable in wood collections.
Video Overview
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.
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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:
• 3M Half Facepiece Reusable Respirator for protection against dust and airborne particles during sanding and woodworking
https://amzn.to/4wKyJoK
• Klein Tools ET140 Pinless Moisture Meter for non-destructive moisture detection in wood, drywall, and masonry
https://amzn.to/4upDKSd
• Pro Grade 2-Inch Foam Brush Set for applying stains, oils, finishes, and sealers to woodworking projects
https://amzn.to/4drOpWx
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