Botanical name: Syncarpia glomulifera

Distribution: Widely dispersed from Central New South Wales through to Northern Queensland. A large hardwood that attains a height of upto 60m (200ft)

Colour: The heartwood is red-brown.

The timber: Texture is moderately coarse but even. Exceptionally durable. One of the few timbers that is resistant to marine borers due to its extractives. The grain is normally straight but some material may present interlocked grain.

Mechanical properties: Satisfactory for steam bending. Kiln dry density of approx. 850kgs/m³ (53lb/ft³).

Working properties: Due to the presence of silica in the timber Tamarang blunts cutting edges very quickly. The extractives make it difficult to glue and this timber can also stain concrete surfaces. However, Tamarang finishes to a high gloss and the end result is very pleasing and well worth the effort of working this timber.

Uses: Marine piling, marine work, sea defence, flooring, furniture, panelling, turnery and carving. It is available in a veneer.

Availability: Moderate. Long marine piling scarce.