Eucalyptus diversicolor of the family Myrtaceae. Native to Australia. There is at least one other, unrelated, species that uses this common name but I believe that the wood available in the USA is Eucalyptus diversicolor. This is a truely huge tree, growing well over 200 feet tall and with a DBH of over 10 feet. It's a hard, durable wood used widely in construction in Australia.
Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) and karri (Eucalyptus diversicolor) are pretty much impossible to tell apart. Even the trees looks almost completely alike. In "A Guide to More Useful Woods of the World" it is stated that Australian natives can tell them apart only by burning splinters. Ash of jarrah is black and gray whereas ash from karri is white. Both grow to signicant heights and can provide very long planks/beams.
my samples: NOTE: these pics were all taken in very bright incandescent lighting ("soft white" at 2700K) colors will vary under other lighting conditions
both sides of a sample plank of karri / Eucalyptus diversicolor --- HUGE enlargements are present. This sample was loaned to me by Mark Peet whom I thank for this and other contributions to the site. I note that the label on this piece says it is "bird's eye" but I have no idea why since there is no hint of anything like bird's eye figure in the wood.
end grain and end grain closeup of the piece directly above
small piece of karri contributed to the site by Walter Troy, whom I thank for this and other contributions to the site. HUGE enlargements are present. The colors are too dark.
end grain and end grain closeup of the piece directly above
face grain closeup and side grain closeup of the piece directly above
both sides of a small thin plank. The first side is sanded to about 240 grit and the 2nd side is untouched (by me) --- HUGE enlargements are preset. This piece was contributed to the site by Jeff Sandsted whom I thank.
end grain and end grain closeup of the piece directly above
karri veneer --- HUGE enlargements are present. These samples were contributed to the site by David Clark whom I thank for these and other contributions to the site.
web pics:
planks
planks listed as karri / Eucalyptus diversicolor --- some of these colors look ridiculous
flooring listed as karri / Eucalyptus diversicolor
plank specifically listed as Western Australian karri
veneer
burl
oiled burl pieces
three views of a heavily waxed bowl blank
waxed karri burl platter blank
karri burl hollow form with natural edge top
karri slingshot
bowl, made from a form of the wood that looks so unlike the rest of the pics I've accumulated that I wonder if it is in fact the same species.