Blue gum is a native of Australia, and has been widely planted in California, Arizona, Florida, South America and Africa. . In California it is the best-known member of this large genus. It was introduced into California in the late 1800's, and initially gave much promise because it is a fast-growing hardwood. However, difficulties in drying the lumber caused most plantations to be abandoned as timber-growing sites. Blue Gum is not related to the Southern Red Gum now used so much for interior trim.

The wood is very heavy and hard and tough, is of great strength, but not durable. However, the greatest difficulty has been experienced in efforts to dry it without checking, warping, twisting and "washboarding", the latter a form of fiber collapse.

Locations: (explanation)

• 123-2: This specimen was cut in about 1911 in the Berkeley Hills from the Havens property, and is one of a lot experimented upon by Mr. H. D. Tiemann, dry kiln expert for the U.S. Forest Service. Warping, twisting and checking were much reduced, but "washboarding" remained serious. This piece was cut for 1" stock, but after planing off the washboard corrugations, it lost about 50% of its thickness.
• 123-3: This board is 1" x 30" x 8'0"; 20 board feet. Gift of Mr. T.J. Gillespie, San Jose, Calif.