Tasmanian Leatherwood (Eucryphia lucida) is a native tree of Tasmania’s temperate rain forest, found mainly in the rugged west coast region and is renowned more for the production of the famous Leatherwood Honey than its timber. The trees are now largely protected as the production of the honey is a far more valuable resource than chopping them down for their wood – they are also located in some very inaccessible areas of the state.
Getting access to any timber now is very difficult, about the only way we get any is from old stashes in sheds, etc. It’s not the sort of timber you can find in construction either, so the chances of getting any from demolitions is pretty much nil.
It is a beautiful timber, fine grained with a rich, pinkish brown colour and wonderful grain patterns. Quite good to work although we only ever get it as blanks for woodturning and some of that can be very difficult to turn but the finished result is worth all the effort. If you are lucky enough to every get hold of a turned Leatherwood bowl – treasure it – as you’re unlikely to get another one.
Wikipedia:
Wood Solutions:
https://www.woodsolutions.com.au/wood-species/hardwood/leatherwood
Blue Swallow Designs 