Ceratopetalum apetalum

Coachwood
Coachwood at Nymboi-Binderay National Park
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Oxalidales
Family:	Cunoniaceae
Genus:	Ceratopetalum
Species:	C. apetalum
Binomial name
Ceratopetalum apetalum D. Don

Ceratopetalum apetalum, Coachwood, also called Scented Satinwood or Tarwood, is a medium-sized hardwood tree, straight-growing with smooth, fragrant, greyish bark. It is in the family Cunoniaceae. Coachwood usually grows to a height of 15 to 25 metres, however exceptional specimens can reach 40 metres tall and live for centuries.

It is native to eastern Australia in the central and northern coastal rainforests of New South Wales and southern Queensland, where is often found on poorer quality soils in gullies and creeks and often occurs in almost pure stands.

The stem has distinctive horizontal marks, or scars, which often encircle the trunk. Larger trees have short buttresses. The heartwood is attractive with a colour ranging from pale pink to pinkish-brown. The sapwood is not always distinguishable The grain is straight, finely textured and even. On the tangential face the wood is often highly figured. The wood has a characteristic caramel odour.

Its timber is light and easily worked. It is used for flooring, furniture and cabinetwork, interior fittings, turnery, gun stocks, wood carving, veneers as well as spars and masts for boats. Courtroom number three of The High Court of Australia is beautifully furnished with Coachwood timber.

References

• Floyd, A.G., Rainforest Trees of Mainland South-eastern Australia, Inkata Press 1989, ISBN 0-909605-57-2
• Forest Trees of Australia, D.J. Boland et al. 1992 ISBN 0-643-05423-5
• The High Court of Australia, http://www.hcourt.gov.au/about/the-building#Courtroom 3