 |
Myrtle,
Nothofagus cunninghamii,
is a striking wood with rich red, red brown, and almost orange tones in
much of the wood. This richness of colour is believed to originate in
the quality of the earth in which the tree grows, with the deepest red
myrtle coming from highly fertile basalt soils. The colour is vibrant,
combining subtle variations in tone with the texture and sheen of wavy
and fiddle back grain to produce a surface alive with character and
individuality.
The fine aesthetic qualities of the wood are matched with its working
properties. Myrtle is close grained with distinct annual rings, easy to
work and slices to make an excellent veneer.
Capable of taking a high gloss finish, myrtle is prized by architects
and furniture makers alike. It is used as a solid or veneer in high
quality furniture, joinery and cabinet making, as flooring and feature
paneling in homes and offices, or as a striking finishing timber for
cornices, architraves and skirting. White and pink myrtle is also used
as a structural material. |
Myrtle growing at the ANM forest reserve,
near Maydena. |
|
