Scientific Name:  Lagarostrobos Franklinii

A species of conifer native to the wet southwestern corner of Tasmania, Australia. It is often known as the Huon pine or Macquarie pine, although it is actually a podocarp, not a true pine.

The unique aroma of Huon Pine is unforgettable, evoking the serenity and the stillness of rainforests thousands of years in the making.  Located along the riverbanks of South Western Tasmania these trees take 500 years to reach maturity with some being more than 3,000 years old.  Colours vary from light yellow to golden or reddish-brown and this rare timber is instantly recognisable from its beautiful, sculptural, curved grain.

Sustainability

Felling of the world’s rarest timber is illegal with 85% of Huon pine forests conserved in National Parks while 15% is managed by Forestry Tasmania for salvage.  There are only two sawmills licensed to process logs that are found on the forest floor, in the river, or retrieved from stumps leftover from old logging abolished in the 1970s. The sourcing of salvage timber led to the discovery of tons of ancient buried Huon pine logs, some dated at 38,000 years old and still intact despite being buried in the damp earth.  This amazing timber has a very high methyl eugenol oil content making it impervious to insects and waterproof which is why it was used for boat building in the early years.

It is estimated that this salvaged, dead timber will only last for another two generations after which these ancient giants will be left in peace to live on long after we are gone. 

To own one of these timeless pieces is to be the custodian of an ancient piece of Australian natural history, something to treasure and to pass on to the next generation.

All our pieces have been crafted by local artisans and woodturners and have been ethically sourced from licensed saw-mills.

Conservation Status

Least Concern (Population increasing)