Silver Beech timber, a versatile resource in NZ, serves multiple purposes. Its fine grain and strength make it suitable for crafting furniture, cabinetry, and intricate woodwork. The timber’s pale hue and smooth texture contribute to its aesthetic appeal in interior design. Moreover, Silver Beech’s resilience and durability find applications in flooring and panelling, enduring the test of time. This indigenous wood not only embodies the beauty of New Zealand’s landscapes but also adds a touch of elegance and functionality to various aspects of the country’s craftsmanship.
Uses
- Exceptional working properties for furniture
- Interior joinery
- Panelling
- Flooring
- Dowelling
- Turnery
Selection factors
- Can be easily steam bent
- Stains and polishes well
- Accepts paint well
| Common names | Silver beech, Southland beech |
| Species | Nothofagus Menziesii |
| General description | – Heartwood is pink/brown – Sapwood is light grey/pink – A light-to-medium density hardwood with even texture and straight grain – Hardwood |
| Origin | New Zealand |
| Sustainability | Available from sustainably managed native forests |
| Availability | Readily available |
| Durability & treatment | Non-durable in ground contact but resistant to attack by common borer; and heartwood resistant to CCA treatment |
| Drying | Easy |
Technical Specs
| Physical Characteristics | ||
|---|---|---|
| Shrinkage | Tangential | 5.7% |
| Radial | 3.1% | |
| Strength group | Unseasoned | S4 |
| Seasoned | S4 | |
| Density | Varies 450 to 650 kg/m3 | |
| Hardness | 4 variable with density | |
| Durability Class | Moderately durable | |
| Lyctid susceptibility | NS |