Eucalyptus logs - Any good? How to prepare?

[markturner]

I have salvaged 2 logs of Eucalyptus from the garden of a job we are on, was told by the Australian owner that it makes good lumber.

Firstly, does it and would it be worth the trouble of preparing the logs? I will only get small planks from them, enough for boxwork etc.

Secondly, I am struggling to work out how best to prepare the logs. They are too uneven to safely through my bandsaw. Should I take them to a lumber yard?

Cheers, Mark

 

[woodbloke]

As far as I'm aware, it's not a particularly good timber for indoor constructional use, but I'm happy to be proved wrong. I believe as it's very fast growing, it's used for paper pulping purposes (say that when you've had a couple :lol: ) in Oz and elsewhere - Rob

 

[Alf]

"Eucalyptus" covers a whole range of trees - but generally the ones that are grown in the UK are... not great. It may be they grow too fast or something, dunno, but certainly the turners all speak of massive movement and general annoyance trying to use them. Just by posting the question there'll now be a whole host of relevant threads listed below *points down* which may help. Don't think they're worth the cost/time of taking to be planked, as far as I understand it.

 

[AndyT]

Like Alf said. I picked up a bit from a neighbour's house and split in two, hoping to make some bowls - but it was hopeless.

 

[doorframe]

I'll be taking down a Eucalyptus this week with a 6" trunk at least 8 feet long (but NOT dead straight). It's only about 6-7 yrs old. It grows so fast I have to trim down about 4-5 feet a year. so although its not that tall, the trunk has grown unhindered. It's going to the dump unless anybody wants it, in which case I'll leave the trunk full length.

So, if you can use it just let me know.

Cheers

Roy

 

[markturner]

OK, thanks for the advice. I cut one in half and it looks ok ish, but the consensus seems to be don't waste your time.

 

[steve66]

I had some cut down a while back, some pieces were left cut into short logs and left for a while before splitting but very quickly dried out and resembled a dried out orange or lemon with gaping holes in the rays