Corkwood wattle is found mainly on the Eastern side of the Highlands with quite a
few around the Dysart area. Growing to about 8 metres high with trunks
to about 300mm diameter in this area, it seems to prefer low-lying
ground like the blacksoil plains. The name appears to come from the bark
which has a cork-like texture.
A drought stressed specimen with an old 1080 dingo bait warning attached.
When freshly cut, the timber has a smell to it that is so obnoxious it
attracts blow-flies by the dozens. Luckily, once the timber dries off
after a few days the smell subsides and isn't apparent at all once fully
cured. As such a wet timber when cut, it also tends to mould a lot if it
doesn't get enough air while drying but doesn't split much at all giving
a very good recovery rate. Corkwood wattle is not nearly as hard as most
of the acacias out here and machines very well with just a little
tear-out if you're not careful. It sands well and takes a polish nicely.
This bowl was roughed out wet and finished 2 months later. The Corkwood wattle proved very stable to turn and finish.
