All Stringybark trees belong to the Myrtaceae family and can grow to be large, reaching heights of 80 meters or more in extremely fertile areas. However, in their natural environments, the average size of these trees range from 10 to 40 meters in height.
There are many varieties of the Eucalyptus species that are called Stringybark:
- Messmate Stringybark (Eucalyptus obliqua)
- Silvertop Stringybark (Eucalyptus laevopinea0)
- Mealy Stringybark (Eucalyptus cephalocarpa)
- Red Stringybark (Eucalyptus macrorhyncha)
- White Stringybark (Eucalyptus globoidea)
- Yellow Stringybark (Eucalyptus acmenoides)
- Blue-leaved Stringybark (Eucalyptus agglomerata)
- Brown Stringybark (Eucalyptus baxteri)
- Narrow-leaved Stringybark (Eucalyptus oblonga)
- Thin-leaved Stringybark (Eucalyptus eugenioides)
Silvertop Stringybark may be found in the coastal fall of the tablelands in the northern part of New South Wales. White Stringybark grows in the coastal areas from eastern Victoria to Southern Queensland. Yellow Stringybark may be found in Eastern Victoria and on the coast and tablelands of New South Wales.
The Heartwood is usually pale brown and often has pinkish highlights. The texture is medium and even for all types of Stringybark while the grain is typically straight for Silvertop Stringybark and is often interlocked for White Stringybark and Yellow Stringybark. True to its name, the Heartwood is yellowish brown with a pink tinge.
Timber Attributes of Stringy Bark:
- Most varieties dry quickly
- May experience some collapse while drying
- Could possibly experience checking or splitting
- Unsuitable for bending
- Quite easy to work with manually
- Works well with phenol based adhesives
- Janka rating is Dry: Hard
The Stringybark wood is not susceptible to Lyctid infestation. Although the Silvertop Stringybark is not Termite resistant, it has a Class 4 rating for Marine Borer Resistance and Class 3 rating for Natural Durability of Heartwood Above ground as well as In-Ground Contact.
The Natural Durability rating of Heartwood above ground for White Stringybark and Yellow Stringybark are rated Class 2 while the Natural Durability rating of Heartwood above ground is rated Class 3.
All varieties of Stringybark may be used for:
- Decking
- Flooring
- Lining boards
- Sleepers
- Building framework