Marri

Corymbia calophylla

Also known as: Port Gregory Gum, Eucalyptus calophylla

Appearance

Marri heartwood runs from pale yellow through to a warm pale brown, finishing to a honey colour, while the sapwood is paler again and close to white. Its most recognised feature is the dark red gum veins and pockets that wander through the timber. The grain is usually slightly interlocked and the texture is coarse but fairly even.

Workability

Marri works reasonably well with both hand and machine tools and takes a smooth finish, though the interlocked grain calls for sharp cutters to limit tear-out. It glues soundly and accepts oils, stains and clear coats well. The gum veins can need filling or careful sealing for a clean surface.

Common Uses

Availability

Like Jarrah and Karri, Marri grows only in the south-west corner of Western Australia. Commercial logging of WA's native forests ended on 1 January 2024, so Marri is no longer routinely logged and very little new timber is entering the market. It is also commonly milled as a by-product or feature timber rather than a primary structural product.