Hairy oak's main distribution reaches to the southern edge of the
Central Highlands but there is also an isolated patch in North Qld where
they can be found. It appears to enjoy sandy, poor conditions like Budgeroo (which can be seen in the background at left) and grows to
about 8 metres high.
The bark is very distinctive and the trunks are usually fluted and not
large so small blanks are the norm. The timber is very popular with box,
knife and pen makers.
This log looked really promising until I gave it a haircut! The bark is
so thick it hides the flutes and flaws, particularly the bark inclusions. as
seen in the end-grain picture below.
Hairy oak is fairly hard and moderately heavy but turns satisfactorily and I find the medullary
material quite brittle, although this might be because the pieces I have turned
have been through a bushfire. The timber sands well and takes a high polish.
