Wood Species Guide
Karri
Eucalyptus diversicolor
Also called: Karri Gum, Western Australian Karri
What Karri looks like
Heartwood is a reddish brown, similar to jarrah but usually a little lighter and pinker. The sapwood is pale and narrow.
Grain and texture
Grain is interlocked, with a fairly coarse, even texture.
Working Karri: planing, cutting and gluing
Dense and blunting, so keep tools sharp. Interlocked grain tears out, especially on quartersawn faces; take light passes or sand the last bit. It glues and finishes well.
Finishing Karri: oil, film finishes and epoxy
Takes oil and film finishes well, and the red tone deepens under oil. Seal the pores before an epoxy pour to keep bubbles down. Expect it to mellow toward brown in sunlight.
Durability, stability and Florida humidity
Rated durable to moderately durable, and it is not termite resistant. It is a fine indoor and covered-lanai wood in Florida, but don't use it in ground contact.
Shop notes from our Fort Myers shop
Karri trees are some of the tallest hardwoods on earth, so the lumber comes long and clear. It works as a less pricey jarrah look-alike for indoor tables, floors and furniture, though it is rarely shipped to the US. We don't stock it, but ask us and we can often source it.
Common uses for Karri
Flooring, furniture, cabinetry, beams, plywood and general construction.
Sustainability and CITES status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List.
Safety and toxicity
- Skin irritation
Skin irritation is reported occasionally. Few other reports exist.
- In the shop
- Dust collection + mask when sanding
- Food contact
- Use with care for cutting boards, bowls and utensils
General information, not medical advice. See a doctor if you have a reaction.
Skin irritation has been reported, but serious reactions are uncommon. Use dust collection and a mask.
Karri in stock now
Ask us. We can often source it.
We don't have Karri listed online right now, but new slabs and lumber come in all the time and not everything makes it to the website. Tell us what you're building and we'll check our racks and suppliers.
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