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Yarran
(Acacia melvillei)
(Acacia omalophylla)
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There are 2 species of acacia known as Yarran and both are found on the
Central Highlands, A.melvillei being the more common of the two. As the
phyllodes are very variable, the only sure way to tell the two species
apart is by the seed pods with A.melvillei at around 10mm wide and
A.omalophylla at around 3mm wide. Both species are very similar in every
other respect, including the foliage smelling like cats pee while the
timber smells like violets (go figure!!!)
Right = A.omalaphylla
Left = A.melville
Left = A.omalaphylla
Right = A.melvillei
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A.melvillei
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Acacia melvillei grows to around 12 metres with trunks up to 300mm
diameter that
are usually fluted. a.melvillei seems to prefer richer
soils. |
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Yarran is a very nice timber to work with. Once the logs are halved or
sawn into board-form, it is very stable during drying. Left in the round,
it will crack quite severely. The timber handles microwave drying OK too. While it may be heavy and dense, it machines
well, sands well, smells great and takes a finish really nicely. |
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I found some of the smaller diameter branchwood left in the bush had dried
without cracking and held its bark OK which made it suitable for some
unique S&P shakers!
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A.omalaphylla
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Acacia omalophylla grows to about 10 metres with trunks to around 250mm
diameter, usually found in poorer, gravelly soil.
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Acacia omalophylla timber is barely distinguishable from A.melvillei but this
tree I scored ahd some nice ringing (fiddleback) in it. It's working
qualities are also so close you can't tell them apart. |
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