Family: Casuarinaceae. Latin Name: Allocasuarina Fraseriana (formerly Casuarina Fraseriana)
Origin: Western Australia.
Common Names: Western Sheoak, Common Sheoak, WA Sheoak, Fraser’s Sheoak, Sheoak.
The Tree: Sheoak trees can grow to heights of 49 feet tall with a stout trunk that 2 to 3 feet in diameter. If the tree is exposed to a salty coastal breeze it tends to be somewhat smaller. Sheoaks have weeping branches and branchlets of acicular-shaped needle-like leaves. The Sheoak tree is covered in reddish-brown fibrous bark.
Appearance of Wood: Sheoak heartwood ranges in color from a light pink to dark red, orangish purple with occasional black streaks. The sapwood tends to be light yellowish-brown in color. The wood itself is highly figured. Lace figure is a rare find and is prized for high-end applications. The grain tends to be uniform in texture and carries a moderate amount of natural luster. The grain can also vary from straight to slightly interlocked.
Density: Sheoak is considered to have a moderate density. Average reported specific gravity ranges from .62 to .73 with an average air-dried weight of 45 pounds per cubic foot. Janka Hardness is 1,900 pounds of force.
Drying and Shrinkage: Average reported shrinkage values are 2.4% radial, 7.9% tangential, 10.7% volumetric.
Working Properties: Sheoak is easy to work with both hand and machining tools due to the straight uniform grain pattern. The wood glues, turns, and finishes well.
Durability: Sheoaks are rated as durable and resistant to borers.
Uses: Sheoak is ideal for fine furniture, cabinetry, guitars, woodturning, inlays, boxes, and small specialty wood items.
Availability: Sheoak lumber can be a rare find and is limited to hobbyist and specialty applications domestically. The Sheoak is not listed in the CITES Appendices and is reported by the IUCN as being a species of least concern.