Lacewood
Family
Proteaceae
Other Common Names
Southern silky-oak (Australia), Kawilia (Tanganyika), Lacewood (United States).
Distribution
Native to eastern Australia but planted extensively as a shade tree for coffee and tea plantations and as an ornamental in tropical and subtropical regions.
The Tree
Forest-grown trees may reach a height of 150 ft with a trunk diameter of 4 ft. In plantations, boles usually 30 ft in length with diameter of about 2 ft.
The Wood
Heartwood pale pinkish brown becoming yellow brown on exposure; sapwood cream colored, moderately well defined. Texture medium to coarse grain straight to wavy; lustrous; because of large rays, figure is prominent on quartered faces. Some people develop skin rash when working green or dry wood.