In New Zealand, Totara timber is highly versatile. Its durability and resistance to decay make it a prime choice for construction, crafting intricate carvings, and producing furniture. Totara’s rich cultural significance is woven into Maori traditions, connecting the past with contemporary applications, showcasing the enduring relevance of this remarkable native timber.
Uses
- Built-in feature joinery
- Window and door sills
Selection factors
- Machines and carves well
- Tends to be brittle and is easily split when dry
- Requires special primers when painting
| Common names | Totara |
| Species | Podocarpus Totara |
| General description | – Heartwood is red/brown – Sapwood is pale pink/brown – Fine even straight grain – Softwood |
| Origin | New Zealand |
| Sustainability | Available from sustainably managed native forests |
| Availability | Limited quantities |
| Durability & treatment | Heartwood very durable |
| Drying | Slow; not suitable for kiln drying |
Technical Specs
| Physical Characteristics | ||
|---|---|---|
| Shrinkage | Tangential | 6.7% |
| Radial | 3.4% | |
| Strength group | Unseasoned | S7 |
| Seasoned | SD8A | |
| Density | 480 kg/m3 | |
| Hardness | 2.4 | |
| Durability Class | 1 |