By Geoff Holloway
White Beech (Gmelina leichhardtii) A large tree attaining a height of 40 m and a stem diameter of 1.5 m. It has a straight, slender trunk, usually circular in cross-section, often flanged at the base but not prominently buttressed. The bark is approximately 10 mm thick, light grey to dark grey and is rough and scaly.
The wood is pale brown, medium texture, highly durable with a density of 545kg/m3. Used for Decorative. Furniture, joinery, carving, turnery, picture frames. Considered the premier carving timber in Queensland. Also for boat building (decking, planking). Has been used for draughtsperson´s implements, templates, pattern making, cask bungs, brush stock, venetian blind slats, beehives.
Was used to some extent in general building framing in the early to mid 1900s, and in flooring, lining, mouldings, joinery and cladding, but use in such applications has been very infrequent for some decades. A very popular carving wood.
