Hoop pine

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Hoop pine, Credit: Pete 1968

Description

Hoop pine (Araucaria cunninghamii) is a pine-like tree found in New South Wales and Queensland. The trees, like northern hemisphere pines, grow rapidly with good longevity (up to 450 years). The tree produces a high quality wood that is commonly used in plywood. Additional uses include furniture, veneer, joinery, paneling, flooring, boats, and particle board. The resin from the hoop pine was used as an adhesive by the Aborigines.

Applications

Furniture, plywood, paper (pulpwood), turned objects, and small specialty wood items.

Physical and Chemical Properties

  • Heartwood is light brown; sapwood is poorly defined
  • Grain is straight with a fine to medium uniform texture and moderate natural luster.
  • Susceptible to fungal staining if not dried properly
  • Resistance to weathering and insects is poor

Working Properties

  • Clear sections of wood are easy to work with hand and machine tools
  • Sections with knots can be problematic and result in tear-out or uneven sanding due to the difference in density of the two regions
  • Glues, finishes, and turns well

Resources and Citations