Lyla Lindsey
Australian lacewood is a hardwood with a distinctive figure and a reddish-brown colour. It is native to northern Australia, where it is called silky oak, Northern silky oak, or Queensland silky oak. It is also found in the USA and Canada, where it is used for decorative and ornamental objects, as well as veneer for interior panelling and furniture. The term “lacewood” is used loosely and can refer to several different species of wood with a lace-like pattern. Australian lacewood is reported to grow in Queensland, Australia, especially in the northern coastal areas.
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What You'll Learn
Australian Lacewood is native to Northern Australia
Australian Lacewood, also known as Cardwellia sublimis, is native to Northern Australia, where it is called Silky Oak, Northern Silky Oak, or Queensland Silky Oak. It is a member of the Proteaceae family, which is known for causing eye and skin irritation in some individuals. The name "Lacewood" is used loosely and can be applied to various wood species with a lace-like pattern. The Australian Lacewood tree is often cultivated as a decorative home plant and can tolerate shade.
The wood of the Australian Lacewood tree is distinctive, featuring a reddish-brown colour with grey or light brown rays that create a lace pattern when quartersawn. The sapwood is almost white, while the heartwood ranges from pale pink to reddish-brown, darkening over time. The grain is typically straight, but the large rays produce a flakey grain pattern, especially on the quarter sawn face. The texture is coarse and even, and the wood is easy to work with, taking glues, stains, and finishes well. However, it can be challenging to plane, and species may have a blunting effect on cutting edges.
Australian Lacewood is in high demand for decorative and ornamental objects, as well as veneer for interior panelling and furniture. It is reported to grow in Queensland, Australia, particularly in northern coastal areas. However, it was overharvested in Australia and is now not widely available. When sources of Cardwellia sublimis from Australia became scarce, importers turned to Roupala brasiliense from South America, continuing to market it as Lacewood, contributing to the confusion surrounding the name.
Today, finding genuine Australian Lacewood requires a reputable vendor with a trusted supply chain. While Leopardwood is now the most common wood sold as "Lacewood," it differs in colour and density from true Australian Lacewood. Brazilian Lacewood, or Panopsis sp., is another acceptable substitute, with similar colour and workability, but it produces smaller lumber and veneer.
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It is also known as Northern Silky Oak
Australian lacewood, scientifically known as Cardwellia sublimis, is also referred to as Northern Silky Oak. This name is derived from its native region, which is Northern Australia, specifically Queensland, Australia's northern coastal areas. The name "lacewood" is derived from the wood's striking appearance, characterised by a conspicuous flecking that resembles a lace pattern.
Northern Silky Oak is just one of the many common names for Australian lacewood, which also include Australian Silky Oak, Queensland Silky Oak, Selano, and Silky Oak. The variety of common names for this wood species contributes to the confusion surrounding its identification, as it is often misidentified or mislabelled in the commercial market.
The scientific name for Australian lacewood, Cardwellia sublimis, belongs to the family Proteaceae, also known as the Protea family. This species is not to be confused with Southern Silky Oak (Grevillea robusta), which is a similar species that is sometimes sold as Australian Lacewood due to their close resemblance.
Australian lacewood is a highly sought-after wood species for decorative and ornamental objects due to its distinctive figure and striking appearance. It is also in demand as a veneer for interior panelling and furniture. However, it is important to note that this species was overharvested in Australia, leading to a decrease in its availability.
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The tree is often grown as a home ornamental
The Australian Lacewood tree, also known as Cardwellia sublimis, is a popular choice for those seeking a decorative and ornamental tree to grow at home. With its distinctive figure and striking appearance, it is often cultivated as an ornamental tree in gardens and landscapes. The tree is native to Northern Australia, where it is commonly referred to as Silky Oak, Northern Silky Oak, or Queensland Silky Oak. However, in the United States, it is known as Australian Lacewood or simply Lacewood.
The unique characteristics of Australian Lacewood make it a sought-after material for various decorative and ornamental objects. Its reddish-brown colour, accentuated by grey or light brown rays, creates a captivating lace-like pattern that is highly valued in woodworking. This distinct figure not only adds aesthetic appeal but also makes it desirable for veneers, interior panelling, and furniture. The sapwood of the Australian Lacewood is almost white, while the heartwood ranges from pale pink to reddish-brown, darkening over time.
As a home ornamental tree, Australian Lacewood can tolerate shade, making it suitable for specific landscaping needs. However, it is important to note that this tree can twist as it grows, which can present challenges for woodworkers. The active grain and striking appearance of the wood can also pose design complexities. Additionally, the wood is rated as non-durable and susceptible to insect attacks, which is a consideration for long-term outdoor use.
Despite some challenges, Australian Lacewood is an exciting wood to work with and is known for its good workability. It takes glues, stains, and finishes well, although there may be some difficulty in planing due to the possibility of tear-out. The wood's susceptibility to insect attacks and non-durable nature have led to its overharvesting in Australia, resulting in limited availability. Today, finding genuine Australian Lacewood requires a reputable vendor with a trusted supply chain.
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Australian Lacewood is susceptible to insect attack
Australian Lacewood, scientifically known as Cardwellia sublimis, is a captivating wood species native to Northern Australia. It is also called Silky Oak in Australia, with the specific names Northern Silky Oak or Queensland Silky Oak. However, in the USA, it is referred to as Lacewood or Australian Lacewood.
The name "Lacewood" is quite versatile and can be applied to various wood species. It is used to describe any wood with a lace-like pattern. This versatility often leads to confusion, as wood with similar appearances may have different names in different regions. For example, Southern Silky Oak (Grevillea robusta) is sometimes sold as Australian Lacewood, but it is a different species.
Australian Lacewood is known for its conspicuous flecking, which gives it a distinctive appearance. The wood has a reddish-brown colour with grey or light brown rays, creating a lace pattern when viewed from certain angles. The texture of the wood is coarse and uneven, resulting from the difference in densities between the regular wood tissue and the rays. The grain is typically straight, and the wood is overall fairly easy to work with, taking glues, stains, and finishes well. However, there may be challenges during planing, and some species can blunt cutting edges.
The dust from Australian Lacewood can cause skin irritation and rashes, so woodworkers should take precautions such as wearing dust masks when working with this wood.
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It is in demand as a veneer for interior panelling and furniture
Australian lacewood, also known as Cardwellia sublimis, is a type of wood native to Northern Australia. It is called silky oak in Australia, with the names Northern silky oak and Queensland silky oak being used to differentiate it from Southern silky oak, or Grevillea robusta. In the USA, it is called lacewood or Australian lacewood.
Australian lacewood is in high demand as a veneer for interior panelling and furniture due to its distinctive and striking appearance. The wood has a reddish-brown colour with grey or light brown rays, which create a lace-like pattern when quartersawn. This conspicuous flecking gives the wood its name. The wood has a coarse and uneven texture due to the difference in densities between the regular wood tissue and the rays.
The unique appearance of Australian lacewood makes it a popular choice for decorative and ornamental objects. However, working with this type of wood can present some challenges for woodworkers. The wood can twist as it grows, and the buttons can be delicate and prone to chipping and crumbling. It is also important to carefully select solid material, as Australian lacewood can be susceptible to drying defects such as surface checking and honeycombing.
Despite these challenges, Australian lacewood is a fairly easy wood to work with. It takes glues, stains, and finishes well, although there may be some difficulty in planing due to the possibility of tearout. It is rated as non-durable and susceptible to insect attack, and it can provoke an allergic reaction, so woodworkers should take appropriate precautions when working with it.
Due to its aesthetic appeal and workability, Australian lacewood is a sought-after material for creating elegant and distinctive interior spaces and furniture.
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Frequently asked questions
Australian lacewood is found in Queensland, Australia, especially in the northern coastal areas. It is also grown as a home ornamental.
Australian lacewood is a common name for the wood produced by several different trees, including the Australian Lacewood tree, which has the Latin name Cardwellia sublimis and is native to Northern Australia. The name "lacewood" refers to the lace-like pattern of the wood.
Australian lacewood is used for decorative and ornamental objects, as well as veneer for interior panelling and furniture.
