Coachwood
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| Ceratopetalum apetalum D. Don |
Coachwood (Ceratopetalum apetalum), also called scented satinwood or tarwood, is a medium-sized hardwood tree, straight-growing with smooth, fragrant, greyish bark. It is in the family Cunoniaceae.
It is native to eastern Australia in the central and northern coastal rainforests of New South Wales and southern Queensland, where is often found in gullies and creeks and often occurs in almost pure stands.
The stem has distinctive horizontal marks, or scars, which often encircle the trunk. Larger trees have short buttresses. The heartwood is attractive with a colour ranging from pale pink to pinkish-brown. The sapwood is not always distinguishable The grain is straight, finely textured and even. On the tangential face the wood is often highly figured. The wood has a characteristic caramel odour.
Its timber is light and easily worked. It is used for flooring, furniture and cabinetwork, interior fittings, turnery, gun stocks, wood carving, veneers as well as spars and masts for boats.
