“Termites Infestation? Not today!” 5 Termite Resistant Hardwood

One reason why need to call for termite control immediately is because of this insect’s ability to destroy wood at an unbelievable rate. An infestation would be even more tragic if you live in an ancestral house where most materials were made from wood! But not every home is as prone to termites as the others. There are woods that are termite-resistant, such as the following:

Blackbutt (Eucalyptus pilularis)

Found in Australia and the common food source of koalas, this towering tree can grow from 30 to 70 meters in height and up to 3 meters in diameter. Most of a blackbutt’s trunk is often grey to grey-brown, although there are times when it can be black due to occurrence of fires. The upper barks of the blackbutt are smooth and creamy white which sheds in long strips.

Blackbutts are often used for general construction such as flooring, paneling, veneer, plywood, furniture, and poles because of its fire resistance. Excess woods can also be used as firewood.

Coast grey box (Eucalyptus bosistoana)

These trees with pale brown color grow in eastern Victoria and on the southern and central coasts of New South Wales. They are often used in general construction and heavy engineering structures such as those used for bridges, flooring, decking, cladding, and poles because of their sturdiness.

Another reason why they are used for general construction and heavy engineering structures is because of its resistance to termites.

Australian Cypress

You will often see and hear Australian cypress wood to be used inside houses as floor panels or furniture. This very durable tree has sapwood that is resistant to pests, but may be susceptible to fungi and decay under extreme and hazardous conditions.

Because of its durability, cypress is also used as fence post poles, cladding, fascia, bargeboards, decking, internal flooring, internal lining and paneling, internal and external joinery and house framings.

Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata)

Another species of eucalyptus, the Jarrah, like the others, can grow to about 40 or 50 meters high, with a trunk diameter of 3 meters. It has rough grayish brown bark with vertical grooves, shedding it in long strips.

This tree is often used for timber because of durability. It can make very strong furniture and building materials such as wharves, bridges, and railroad ties.

Spotted gum (Corymbia maculata)

Spotted gum trees got their name from the unusual patches that its trunks have. It has various characteristics that allow them to survive in intense fires. The tree’s clean white bark is thicker therefore allowing it to protect the sensitive cambium layer. Its bark also peels off in patches instead of ribbons and the lower branches die off, leaving a clean bole that reduces the risk of fire being carried up the stem.

This wood has moderately durable timber – which makes it safe to use for decking, but not directly on the ground since it is very susceptible to low temperatures.

Most of these termite-resistant wood are found in Australia because the flora and fauna has adapted to the continent’s extremities. Although they may be costly, it shouldn’t stop us from availing of quality woods, right?