Matai
Botanical Name: Prumnopitys taxifolia
Other Names: Black Pine
Source Location: South Island of New Zealand.
Stability: Stable
Durability in Ground: Durable
Durability Above Ground: Very Durable
Density: Approx 700kg/m3 (at approx12% MC)
Dimensions: Because of its dotted existence, it is cut mostly on portable mills as they come across it and their size capacity is 200x50.
Appearance: The dry heartwood of Matai is straw yellow to chestnut yellow, with an occasional reddish tinge. On exposure to air it darkens to a deep red-brown. The sapwood is white. It is a straight-grained timber with a fine, even texture.
Grades:
Uses: flooring and joinery
Tips: When freshly sawn, Matai gives off a smell “somewhat like fresh stable manure”. Heartwood is harder than Kauri and more dimensionally stable than any of other native softwoods.