Blackwood. 



(Acacia melanoxylon, R.Br.) 



As a cabinet timber for all-round usefulness this one might, perhaps, be placed next to Red 

 Cedar (Cedrela Toona), and its utilisation in this connection dates probably almost as far back 

 in the State's history. It can be made into beautiful furniture, as it takes a good polish, which 

 gives it a satiny sheen, thus enhancing its often ornamental figure. It is fairly close-grained, 

 strong, comparatively light in weight, and dresses with a beautiful finish and is frequently 

 found with a ringed figure. Apart from its utilisation for furniture and cabinet-work, it has 

 also been tried for gun-stocks and given satisfaction. It is extensively used in the construction 

 of railway passenger cars, office, bank, and shop fittings, also interior joinery work of passenger 

 boats, in fact almost every purpose to which good cabinet timber can be utilised. The Central 

 Railway Booking Office fittings, Sydney, are made from it. 



Description of the Tree. This probably is the giant of Acacias, as it attains a 

 height of 80 or 100 feet with a good diameter. Bark hard, rough, furrowed, and of a 

 compact texture. Phyllodia straight, lanceolate or falcate, up to 6 inches in length and 

 J to I inch broad, much narrowed towards the base, with several longitudinal nerves and 

 numerous anastomosing veins. Inflorescence either on a solitary peduncle or a short 

 raceme. Flowers in head of forty or fifty. Pods flat, much curved, about | inch broad 

 with thickened margins. Seeds orbicular, funicle red, encircling the seed in a double fold. 



Geographical Range. One of the widest distributed of our cabinet timbers, as it is 

 found in Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland. 



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