Red gum wood

Red gum wood, also known as Redgum, is from the Sweet Gum tree.  Sweetgum occurs naturally in the southeastern United States. Its range extends from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, south to Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas, and east to the Atlantic coast.

There are also several varieties of wood called Red Gum wood from Australia that are from the Eucalyptus family. Lumber is usually sorted between the light colored sapwood, sold as sap gum, red gum wood veneer and the reddish brown heartwood sold as red gum.

Gum wood has an interlocked grain which makes the drying process long and difficult.  However, when it is quarter sawn, this interlocked grain produces ribbon striping that is highly desired for furniture and interior woodwork. The wood is moderately heavy and somewhat hard with a relative hardness of 850.

red gum wood veneer also known as River Gum, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, is a dense hardwood that typically shows some bees wing figure on rift or quarter sawn faces. Trees are typically 2-5 ft. in diameter but can be much larger. The interlocked grain is difficult to work but has an incredible finish that is well worth the effort.

Small incursions are common with this species. Reddish pink colors with cream colored sapwood set this wood apart. Stunning woodworking projects can be yielded from this lovely hardwood.