Australian Wormy Chestnut

Eucalyptus obliqua and related ash-type eucalypts

Also known as: Wormy Chestnut, Australian Chestnut, Firestreak

Appearance

The defining feature is the network of fine worm and borer trails left by insects in the living tree, which read as dark lines and small voids across the board. Alongside these run gum veins, knots and occasional surface checks that give each piece a busy, rustic figure. Background colour sits in the warm range of pale browns, light yellows and soft peach tones common to the ash-type eucalypts. As a feature grade, boards are chosen for character rather than for clean, uniform grain.

Workability

Being the same timber group sold as Tasmanian Oak and Victorian Ash, it machines, sands and finishes well and takes stains and clear coats readily. The worm trails, gum veins and small voids are usually filled before finishing, so feature-grade boards need a little more preparation than select grades. It glues and nails without much difficulty.

Common Uses

Availability

Australian Wormy Chestnut is a feature grade of the same ash-type eucalypts sold as Tasmanian Oak and Victorian Ash, so its availability follows those timbers. Most now comes from Tasmania, since Victoria ended native forest logging on 1 January 2024.