Welcome to the Australian Hardwood & Cypress Manual
Few people can resist the unique qualities of Australia’s native hardwood and cypress timbers. Their beauty and strength are suitable for use in a wide range of applications from the most intricately designed furniture through to robust but decorative beams for building construction.

Yet, as a hardwood sawmiller and timber merchant, I am often reminded of the lack of a reliable source of quality information on the technical specifications and applications of native hardwood timbers. There is also a reticence among producers to promote the industry’s achievements, and misunderstanding among consumers about modern, sustainable forestry practices, which together have hamstrung the industry.

The Native Timber Industry Marketing and Development Fund, set up by the NSW and Commonwealth Governments, allowed a group of concerned industry representatives to carry out some generic marketing and promotion for the industry, including the publication of this Manual. Its aim is to help architects, specifiers, building designers and consumers make informed choices in featuring native hardwood and cypress for their construction and decorating projects.

The publication of this Manual is a significant achievement, but the work of promoting the native timber industry is far from complete. Projects begun with the assistance of Governments will continue through the Australian Hardwood Network, the industry-funded successor to the Native Timber Industry Marketing and Development Fund.

In the next section you will find an outline of – What’s in the Manual? I trust that Australia’s architects, specifiers, building designers and consumers alike will find this Manual invaluable and that it will advance the use of native hardwood and cypress as materials of choice for the informed consumer.

Andrew Hurford Chair, Australian Hardwood Network

What's in the manual?
The Manual is divided into four sections.

1.)Section 1 makes it easy to factor environmental sustainability into material selection by outlining the benefits for the environment of choosing native hardwood and cypress over other common materials, such as steel and aluminium. Users keen to know more will find references to the wide range of independent analyses confirming that native hardwood and cypress are environmentally-friendly building materials.
Section 1 also summarises the major quality control schemes used by modern valueadded timber processors to give you the confidence to specify native hardwood and cypress.

2.)Often, a consumer’s choice of a material is limited by their knowledge of its technical properties. In Section 2, a key feature of the Manual is information for the novice to the craftsman on how to specify native hardwood and cypress for appearance, strength and durability.

3.)Being spoiled for choice can be a problem and the vast range of native timber species available in the market place can be confusing. Section 3 of the Manual takes the hassle out of species selection by describing the availability, colour and durability of commonly available native timber species, and advises on the species most suited

4.)The potential applications for native hardwood and cypress are limited only by the imagination of the user. From timber flooring systems to the use of native timbers in expressed architectural structures, Section 4 of the Manual gives practical tips on installation and design so you can build with confidence.

Naturally, the Manual needs to keep pace with technical innovation. You can update your copy of the Manual from the Australian Hardwood and Cypress website at www.timber.net.au. If by chance you can’t find what

A note about colours & textures
Due to the many variables associated with the printing process, photographs used throughout this manual can only provide a broad guide to timber colours and textures. This manual should therefore not be used as the sole guide when selecting timber species for appearance applications. If appearance is a major criterion, always request actual samples from your preferred supplier before specifying and or ordering your chosen timber products.

Remember… timber is a natural product which exhibits infinite natural variation.