Podocarp - Decussocarpus

Podocarp is one of the most popular of our hardwood timbers because it is very similar to native Rimu. It is easier to source and less expensive so it can be used in older character homes as both a structural and finishing timber where native Rimu was previously used. Podocarp has been proven as a remarkably versatile and exceptionally beautiful timber.

  • Podocarp is one of the more significant exports from Papua New Guinea by volume. Commonly referred to as Pacific Rimu due to its origin. 
  • The timber is pale pink to brown with the sapwood being a straw color with lustrous straight grain. It exhibits a fine texture like that of New Zealand Totara and Kauri with ‘sheen’. 
  • The timber turns well and has excellent finishing properties, producing high quality results.
  • Seasons rapidly, with little degrade. The timber has low shrinkage and very low movement in-service. 
  • Podocarp fits well into specialized markets due to its Rimu likeness and ease of working. Suitable for a range of high quality end-uses including furniture and cabinet work, joinery, staircase (baluster, balustrade, hand rails, newel and sprandrel framing) and interior mouldings and paneling.
Names
Family:
Podocarpaceae
Species:
Decussocarpus
D. wallichianus (Presl) de Laub.
Syn. Podocarpus wallichianus Presl
Syn. Podocarpus blumei Endl.
Standard Trade Names:
Podocarp
Pacific Rimu
Other Names:
Amunu and Kuasi (Fiji); Thitmin (India); Jamuju and Melur (Indonesia); Ka dong (Laos); Thitmin (Myanmar); Miro, White pine and Yellow pine (New Zealand); Brown podocarp and Low mountain podocarp (Papua New Guinea); Malaalmaciga and Malakauayan (Philippines); and Phayamai (Thailand).
PROPERTIES
Density:
540-590 Kg/m3 @ 12% m.c
Colour:
Pale pink to brown.
Texture:
Fine and even.
Grain:
Generally straight.
Figure:
Durability:
Class 4: Non-durable
Permeability:
Class 2: Sapwood is permeable and heartwood is reasonably uniform to pressure impregnation
WORKABILITY
General:
Excellent working and finishing properties.
Sawing:
Readily sawn with little dulling effect.
Planing:
Excellent characteristics, produces a smooth surface.
Blunting:
Low
Boring:
Excellent characteristics.
Turning:
Turns well.
Nailing:
Pre-boring advised.
Gluing:
Glues well with all adhesives.
Finishing:
Excellent; polishes to a high quality finish.
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
Strength:
SD4
Structural Grade:
F17 (select grade).
Hardness(Janka):
5.0kN (seasoned), 4.0kN (unseasoned).
Max. Crushing Strength:
94MPa (seasoned), 31Mpa (unseasoned).
Modulus of Elasticity:
14GPa (seasoned), 10.7GPa (unseasoned).
Modulus of Rupture:
94MPa (seasoned), 62MPa (unseasoned).
SEASONING
General:
Excellent drying properties with little or no degrade.
Movement:
Very low
Shrinkage:
Low