Grey Iron Bark     

Local Names	White ironbark, narrow-leaved ironbark
Description and natural occurrence	A medium sized tree attaining a height of 30 to 50 m and a stem diameter of 1.5 m. The stem is usually straight and free of branches for a considerable length. The bark hard, coarse, deeply furrowed and ridged. It ranges from dark brown to black in colour and is persistent to the small branches. E. drepanophylla is found from northern New South Wales to Bundaberg, Queensland. It is also found in scattered patches as far north as the Atherton Tableland.  E. paniculata - found only in New South Wales from Bega to Coffs Harbour.
Wood Appearance	Colour. The heartwood ranges from reddish-brown to dark brown. The sapwood is lighter in colour and averages about 20 mm in width. Grain. Tight and usually straight grained.
Uses	Engineering. As sawn and round timber in wharf and bridge construction, railway sleepers, cross arms, poles, piles, mining timbers. Construction. As unseasoned timber in general house framing and as seasoned dressed timber in cladding, internal and external flooring, linings and joinery. Also in fencing, landscaping and retaining walls. Decorative. Outdoor furniture, turnery, joinery. Others. Boat building (keel and framing components, planking), coach, vehicle and carriage building, agricultural machinery, mallet heads, mauls, bearings, sporting goods (croquet mallets, parallel bars). Has been used for wheel spokes and bowling ninepins. Was reputedly the timber of choice for wooden-hulled vessels used in Antarctic exploration because its high strength and toughness gave the hulls high resistance to pack ice damage and crushing.

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