Should You Choose Tasmanian Oak Furniture?

In recent years, we have seen a well-deserved resurgence in the popularity of locally sourced hardwood for a wide variety of purposes. Many Australians are now using homegrown hardwood for furniture and floorboards to give their home natural character. One of the most popular materials is Tasmanian Oak or Tas Oak, and this versatile timber can be used in a wide variety of applications including Tasmanian oak furniture construction. Let’s take a closer look at Tasmanian oak to see if it’s the right choice for your home.

A Green and Sustainable Option

Many hardwoods sourced from Asian or South American countries are harvested and not replaced, leading to significant deforestation. Here in Australia, we have strict rules in place regarding the replanting of any hardwood trees. Tasmanian oak grows quickly, and it’s actually a collective term for three different species of eucalypt hardwoods that are almost identical. The three types of trees are E. delegatensis or alpine ash which grows at higher elevations, E. regnans or mountain ash which grows at wetter sites and E. obliqua or messmate that can grow both in wet forests and much drier areas.

The Properties of Tasmanian Oak

Tasmanian oak is well regarded for its warmth, resilience, and dense structure. This is a sturdy and beautiful hardwood that is suitable for making a Tasmanian Oak dining table and other larger pieces of furniture. The timber is easy to work, and it finishes very well making it well suited to panelling, flooring, and furniture applications. Longer spans can be glued together to created engineered timber sections and veneers for a wide variety of uses. This is also a popular choice for the production of high-quality paper and reconstituted boards because the fibres are so dense and strong.

The Visual Appeal of Tasmanian Oak

The majority of Tasmanian Oak used is fairly light in colour with a great range of hues. This timber can be found in a light straw through to a red-brown, and there are even shades of pink or cream to enjoy. The gorgeous tones are well suited to taking a wide variety of stains and finishes to make Tasmanian Oak tables or other items of furniture with broad flat surfaces. This type of furniture really shows off the depth of the grain and the wonderful shapes found there.

Working with Tasmanian Oak

Many custom furniture makers enjoy working with Tasmanian Oak because it’s easy to work and it delivers great results. Because it’s easy to stain and finish it can be readily matched to other items of furniture in a home. Tasmanian Oak is easy to plane smooth, it can be glued to create more elaborate designs, and the surface can be sanded to a very smooth surface. This hardwood isn’t well suited to bending with steam, but it is a fantastic choice for woodturning projects.

If you’re interested in learning more about Tasmanian Oak furniture, contact Jarrimber today and we will be happy to help.

Share This