Totara

Material Type:
Softwood

Also Called:
Silver Pine, New Zealand Pine, Mountain Pine, Pokaka, Yellowwood

Durability Notes:
Totara is a durable wood, with excellent resistance to decay, rot, and insect attacks. It is a strong and dense hardwood, with a Janka hardness rating of 1,540 lbf. This makes it an ideal choice for outdoor projects such as decks and fences, as well as for furniture and cabinetry. The wood also has a good natural resistance to fire, and is a popular choice for timber framing. With good maintenance, Totara can last for many years and is a great choice for projects that require a high level of durability.

Seasoning:
Seasoning of Totara, or Podocarpus totara, is a process that involves slowly drying out the wood to reduce its moisture content. This process helps to improve stability, reduce warping and cracking, and make the wood easier to work with. Totara is a hardwood with high density, so it takes longer to season than other softer woods. The best way to season Totara is by air-drying in a well-ventilated area, which can take up to several months. To speed up the process, you can use a kiln-drying method, but this can sometimes cause cracking and splitting due to the rapid drying. It is best to use a combination of air-drying and kiln-drying to ensure the wood is properly seasoned.

Properties:
Totara (Podocarpus totara) is a hardwood tree native to New Zealand. It is a durable and dense wood with a fine, even texture that ranges in color from a light yellow-brown to a deep reddish-brown. It is highly resistant to decay, making it a popular choice for outdoor furniture, decking, and flooring. Totara is also very resistant to splitting and warping, and is easy to work with. It is often used for boatbuilding, furniture, and joinery, and has even been used for fence posts and musical instruments. The wood is also highly valued for its aesthetic qualities, and is often used as a veneer or an inlay.

Typical Uses:
Furniture making, Boatbuilding, Flooring, Joinery, Carving, Exterior Cladding, Interior Trim, Cabinetry.

More Info:
Totara is an excellent choice for a variety of applications due to its durability and strength. It has a high strength-to-weight ratio, making it ideal for furniture making and other woodworking projects. It is also resistant to warping and cracking. Additionally, Totara has a good fire resistance, making it suitable for outdoor use. The wood can also be treated with a preservative to make it even more resistant to insects and decay. Additionally, the wood has a low shrinkage rate, which makes it a great choice for applications that require a tight fit.

Spiritual Properties:
Totara (Podocarpus totara) is an evergreen tree native to New Zealand and some parts of Australia, and is highly valued by the Maori people. The tree is commonly associated with strength and stability, and is thought to be a symbol of protection and spiritual guidance. Totara is also seen as a symbol of fertility, abundance, and abundance of resources, and is often used in traditional carvings and ceremonial objects. Totara is also believed to be an effective “cleanser” of negative energy, and many Maori people use Totara wood to ward off evil spirits.

Possible Health Risks:
Totara wood is generally considered to be very safe for humans. It does not contain any known toxins, and is not known to cause any skin irritation or allergic reactions. The wood is also resistant to decay and rot, so it is not associated with any health risks. However, as with all woods, it is important to take necessary safety precautions when working with it, such as wearing protective gear and avoiding contact with any dust or splinters.

Sustainability:
Totara, or Podocarpus totara, is a very sustainable and environmentally friendly wood species. It is a hardwood tree native to New Zealand and is popular for outdoor projects due to its strength and durability. It is a fast-growing species and can reach heights of up to 30 meters. Totara is also highly resistant to rot and decay, making it ideal for outdoor projects. Additionally, it is a very eco-friendly species, as it is harvested from sustainably managed forests and is FSC certified. It is also known to be resistant to insect damage, so it can be used without the need for pesticides. In terms of sustainability, Totara is an excellent choice for any project.

Interesting Facts:
Totara, or Podocarpus totara, is a species of coniferous tree native to New Zealand. It is a slow-growing tree that can reach heights of up to 60 feet and live for up to 1000 years. The wood has a reddish-brown color and is highly durable and resilient, making it an excellent choice for furniture, building construction, and other uses. Totara is also highly resistant to decay and insect attacks. In Maori culture, Totara is a symbol of strength and endurance, and it has been used for centuries in carving, construction, and furniture making. It is also known for its medicinal properties, and is often used for treating respiratory and stomach-related ailments.

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