Karri, Eucalyptus diversicolor

Karri is a hardwood timber native to Australia. With its durability and distinctive red hues it is suited to a broad range of applications. Most commonly used in construction, it is also valued by designers in the manufacture of indoor and outdoor furniture. Karri timber also features in the design of indoor and outdoor joinery.

Karri trees are native to the southwest corner of Western Australia, but are also cultivated in plantations internationally. As one of Australia's tallest hardwoods, karri trees grow to a height of between 45 and 70 metres and are found in areas of high rainfall. Their botanical name derives from the tendency, as their dark bark is shed, for the predominantly white trunks to take on a patina of colours from white to grey to deep brown. 

Appearance

Karri is a lustrous timber known for its distinctive red-brown heartwood, which is lighter in colour than jarrah. Its sapwood grows in a narrow band, and is pale and easily distinguished from the heartwood. The grain of the timber can be slightly interlocked or straight, with a somewhat course texture. 

Common Applications

The timber of the karri tree has a number of common construction applications including flooring, paneling and joinery. Karri is also suitable for framing and in structural plywood. High quality furniture can be produced with karri timber and the distinctive colour and figure of the timber, along with its durability makes it sought after for this purpose. 

Treated timber is used for exposed framing and decking. Its structural uses include wharf and bridge construction, cross-arms, rafters and joists. Other applications include pulp and paper, veneer, railway-carriage construction, agricultural implements and shipbuilding. 

Information Sourced from Forest and Wood Products Australia Ltd