Australian Beefwood Slabs
Beefwood’s name is peculiar, but the wood is as beautiful as its name is odd. Commonly mistaken for a softwood, beefwood is anything but soft. It’s an incredibly hard wood more akin to Ipe than Pine. Beefwood was introduced to Florida in the late 1800s and quickly became an invasive species, threatening the local ecosystem. Beefwood gets its name from its combination of red and maroon colors with gray rays, similar to the appearance of raw beef. Beefwood is one of the hardest woods growing in the US and has grain ranging from straight to swirly. This combination makes it an interesting wood for table slabs, furniture tops, turning, gluing, and finishing. Although prone to some surface checking and cracking during the drying process, this adds to its rustic, antique look. It takes a finish well, making it a viable choice for furniture and leaving one with the beauty of nature and the peace of mind that comes from being eco-conscious.
Common Name:
Botanical name:
Indigenous To:
Beefwood, Western Beefwood, Beef Oak, Beef Silky Oak, Silvery Honeysuckle, Australian Pine, She-Oak
Casuarina spp
Western Australia