Yellow Box Burl
Eucalyptus melliodora · Exotic/Tropical
- Type
- Exotic/Tropical
- Origin
- Native to Southeastern Australia (New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland)
- Hardness
- 2,410 lbf (Very Hard)
- Durability
- Very Durable; contains high natural oils and density providing excellent resistance to decay and termites
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Grain Pattern
Highly irregular burl figure with tight swirls, eyes, and pins; transitions to a wavy/interlocked grain at the base of the sample
Color & Appearance
Honey-yellow to light tan heartwood with subtle pinkish-brown streaks; sapwood is pale yellow; moderate luster; naturally darkens slightly to a deeper amber over time
Hardness (Janka)
2,410 lbf (Very Hard)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Very Durable; contains high natural oils and density providing excellent resistance to decay and termites
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $40.00 to $70.00 per board foot (rare specimens and burls are typically sold by the block or blank weight)
- Wood Age Estimate
- Modern cut; the surface shows recent machining marks and sharp edges, likely less than 5 years old in its current form
- Sustainability Status
- Not CITES listed; classified as Least Concern by IUCN; however, old-growth burl specimens are finite and highly sought after
Common Uses
Knife handles, pen blanks, fine furniture inlays, bowls/vessels, high-end decorative turnery, and veneers
Geographic Origin
Native to Southeastern Australia (New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland)
Workability
Difficult due to extreme hardness and wild burl grain; prone to tearout during planing; requires sharp carbide tools; glues and finishes well
Finish Recommendations
High-gloss CA finish for small turnings, or clear stabilized resins; for furniture, oil-based finishes highlight the chatoyance within the burl
Notable Features
Distinctive sweet scent when worked (hence melliodora); high density results in a glass-like finish when polished; can be brittle in thin sections
