Where does Black Maire grow?

Table of Contents

Black maire (Nestegis cunninghamii) is found scattered through lowland forests of the North Island and northern South Island. Its dark grey trunk is rough and fissured and supports a deep crown.

What was the Maire tree used for?

History. The Maori apparently had no medicinal use for black maire but its timber was highly regarded; mainly being used for weapon and tool construction.

Is Tawa a hardwood?

Of New Zealand’s hardwood species, southern beech and tawa have a timber resource of sufficient size to support moderate sized industries.

How do you identify NZ native timbers?

Characteristics:

The sapwood is approximately 2 inches wide, a pale brown colour with an orange tinge.
The heartwood is moderately hard and heavy, usually pinkish in colour, occasionally red and streaky, but turning brown with age.
It is lustrous but lacks a distinct figure and the texture is intermediate and uneven.

What is the strongest wood on earth?

Generally acknowledged as the hardest wood, lignum vitae (Guaiacum sanctum and Guaiacum officinale) measures in at 4,500 pounds-force (lbf) on the Janka scale.

Is Tawa native to NZ?

New Zealand’s native tawa tree is common throughout lowland forests in the country. Here are 7 facts about this abundant native tree.

What is the best firewood to burn in New Zealand?

HOT AND LONG IS BEST According to woodfire makers Firenzo, the longest hotter burning wood in Aotearoa-NZ is gorse, however it’s also hard to come by making it a lot less cost effective. Wattle, macrocarpa, gum and native kanuka have give great thermal value, with long burn times, and are more easily available.

Is rimu dust toxic?

Rimu: Rimu dust is carcinogenic. All sawdust is bad for the lungs but Rimu, a common NZ wood is especially noted as being carcinogenic when inhaled. Cancer aside lungs were not made for sawdust.

How can you tell if timber is rimu?

Rimu is a medium density softwood with a fine textured grain, the heart wood is reddish brown. The middle zone known as coloured Rimu has a light brown colour and the sap wood a Pale lighter brown tone. The timber works easily and well with both hand and machine tools.