eucalyptus

Origin	Australia, new plantings worldwide
bulk density	0,48 - 1,06 g/cc
durability class	2-4
radial shrinkage	4,1%
Tangential shrinkage	8,7%
wood color	pinkish brown to dark red
wood structure	coarse-pored, twisted growth
Usage	Parquet, windows, partly decking and garden furniture

Eucalyptus is not a species of tree, but a genus with numerous different species. These woods sometimes have very different technical and optical properties. Not every type of wood of the eucalyptus genus is suitable for terrace construction outdoors. Because your resistance class can range from less permanent (class 4) to permanent (class 2). It is therefore particularly important when buying eucalyptus wood to find out the exact botanical name. Only the durable and hard qualities such as eucalyptus camadulensis, also known as red gum, come into question as decking wood.

Eucalyptus – the global player

Eucalyptus originally only grew in Australia, New Guinea and Tasmania. Since the numerous species of the genus Eucalyptus can adapt very well to different climate zones and locations and also grow particularly quickly, eucalyptus is today the most cultivated plantation tree in the world. The tree plantations cover 18,3 million hectares of cultivated land, mainly in India, Brazil, China and Africa.

differences in quality

The different growth regions result in different qualities of eucalyptus wood. In Germany, the light species Eucalyptus Grandis and Eucalyptus Globus, as well as the heavy species Eucalyptus Camadulensis, are commercially available.

The diversity of species and the associated different technical properties mean that the exact botanical name of eucalyptus outdoors should first be checked. The red gum (bot. E. camadulensis) used as decking wood achieves durability class 2, has a light red to wine-red colour, medium-sized pores and has a pronounced interlocked grain, which makes the wood moderately prone to warping and splinters.

Sources: GD wood, Wikipedia