Veiny Denhamia

    (Denhamia pittosporoides sub. angustifolium)

Also known as: Orange Boxwood

A small tree to about 6 metres high, Veiny Denhamia can be found as individual specimens on anything from gravelly ridges to blacksoil plains though I wouldn't consider it common. The largest tree I have found was about 200mm diameter at knee height.

Veiny Denhamia trunks don't flute as badly as it's cousin Stiff Denhamia so reasonably good sized blanks can be recovered.

The bark tends to vary from smooth to flaky and is unusually attractive to Cicadas - I have seen trees with the entire trunk covered in them at times.

Flowering around October, they then develop small orange fruits that closely resemble those of Cattlebush (pittosporum angustifolium) making the 2 species difficult to distinguish.

As it's other common name suggests, the qualities of Veiny Denhamia timber are much like those of English Boxwood - homogenous, close grained, of medium weight and very stable in drying and in use.

The timber is a pleasure to machine, producing long shavings from any angle of attack with just about any tool. It sands cleanly and evenly and takes a good finish although it can be a little thirsty to begin with.

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