Botanical name: Flindersia schottiana.

Distribution: Tewi is limited to the Mid to Northern coastal forests of Queensland. A large hardwood that attains a height of 35m (115ft but of narrow diameter, usually 1m (3ft).

Colour: Very pale yellow, sometimes greyish silver.

The timber: The texture is medium and even, usually straight grain but occasionally wavy and interlocked. Growth rings are not prominent and the heartwood is not distinct from the sapwood.

Mechanical properties: Tewi is tough, elastic and resilient with medium bending and crushing strength. Good steam bending properties. It is not an exterior grade timber. Kiln dry density of approx. 600kgs/m³ (37lb/ft³).

Working properties: It works well with hand or machine tools with little blunting effect on cutters. It takes nails and screws well without pre drilling, glues without difficulty, and if care is taken with filling and staining Tewi polishes to a fine finish.

Uses: Fine furniture, panelling, boatbuilding, handles, cabinet work, carving, turnery and it is available in veneer.

Availability: Moderately plentiful.