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Timber Reactions

Warning: This list is not exhaustive, and care should be taken in handling and working with all unfamiliar timbers, whether wet or dry. 

  • Wash sap and dust off skin to minimise risks
Common Name
Alpine ash Eucalyptus delagatensis Irritation to mucous membranes  
Blackbean Castanospermum australe Irritation of mucous membranes, nose, mouth, throat, genitals, armpits  
Blackwood Acacia melanoxylon Dermatitis and skin reactions  
Blue gum (Tasmanian) Eucalyptus globulus Dermatitis  
Brigalow Acacia harpophylla 'Brigalow itch' irritation to nose, eyes, throat, groin (wood & bark dust)  
Camphor laurel Cinnamomum camphora Can cause dermatitis and shortness of breath  
Coolibah (northern) Eucalyptus microtheca Skin irritation (bark & wood dust)  
Cooliman tree, shitwood Gyrocarpus americanus Can cause blindness  
Grass tree/blackboy Xanthorrhoea sp. Dermatitis and skin reactions
Grey box Eucalyptus microcarpa Eczema, irritation to mucous membranes  
Grey myrtle Diospyros sp Causes skin eruptions (especially from splinters)  
Gutta percha Excoecaria parvifolia Temporary blindness from contact with milky sap  
Jarrah Eucalyptus marginata Irritation to nose, throat, eyes  
Lemon scented gum Corymbia citriodora Dermatitis  
Messmate Eucalyptus obliqua Dermatitis, asthma, sneezing  
Miva mahogany Dysoxylum fraserianum Nosebleeds, headaches, inflammation of nose and eyes  
Mountain ash Eucalyptus regnans Irritation to nose and throat, eyes and dermatitis  
Mulga Acacia aneura Headache, vomiting, irritation  
Nthn silky oak Cardwellia sublimis

Green wood and dust can cause dermatitis

Poison walnut Endiandra pleurosperma Bark very irritating, breathing problems, vomiting & giddiness  
Qld maple Flindersia brayleyana Dermatitis  
Red bloodwoods Corymbia gummifera Irritation to eyes and skin  
Red cedar Toona ciliata Earache, giddiness, stomach cramp, asthma  
Red silky oak Stenocarpus salignus Irritation to mucous membranes  
Red siris/ Mackay cedar Albizia toona Irritation to eyes, nose, throat, sneezing  
Silky beech Citronella moorei Irritation to nose and eyes  
Silver silkwood Flindersia accuminata Irritation to nose and throat  
Southern silky oak Grevillea robusta Skin eruptions, blistering eyelid irritation and dermatitis  
Spotted gum Corymbia maculata Dermatitis  
Turpentine Syncarpia glomilifera Inflammation of mucous membranes  
White cedar Melia azedarach Nosebleed, dermatitis, headache  
White cypress pine Callitris glaucophyllaC. intermedia, C. polycarpa Dermatitis, asthma, nasal cancer, irritation of mucous membranes  
Non Native Species
African Blackwood Dalbergia melanoxylon Acute dermatitis, sneezing conjunctivitis  
CocoBolo/Kingwood/Rosewoods Dalbergia sp Acute dermatitis, sneezing conjunctivitis
Douglas fir (oregon)   Pseudosuga menziesii   Dermatitis, giddiness, vomiting,  'mahogany cough'  
Ebonies   Diospyros sp.

Acute dermatitis, sneezing, conjunctivitis  

European beech   Fagus sylvatica   Nasal and sinus cancer  
European oaks   Quercus sp   Dermatitis, sneezing, nasal cancer  
Kwila   Instia bijuga, I. palembanica   Irritation to nose and throat  
Meranti   Shorea sp   Dermatitis, irritation of mucous membranes  
NG rosewood/padauk   Pterocarpus sp   Dermatitis, asthma  
Nyatoh   Palaquium sp, Payene sp   Irritation to mucous membranes  
Padauk   Pterocarpus sp   Dermatitis, asthma, irritation to mucous membranes  
Redwood (USA)   Sequioa sempervirens   Dermatitis, asthma  
Rimu (NZ)   Dacrydium cupressinum   Irritation to nose and eyes  
Slash pine   Pinus elliottii   Dermatitis  
Teak Tectonia grandis   Dermatitis, conjunctivitis, over sensitivity to light, swollen scrotum, nausea  
Walnuts   Juglans sp.   Nasal cancer, dermatitis and irritation of mucous membranes  
Western red cedar   Thuja plicata   Dermatitis, asthma, nasal cancer, nausea, nose bleeds and giddiness  
Yews   Taxus sp.   Headache, lung congestion, nausea, fainting, visual disturbances, irritation of alimentary canal  

Blackall Range Woodcrafters Guild Inc PO Box 150 Montville Q 4560