Common Name: Queensland Maple

General Information

Queensland maple is a tree growing up to 40 metres tall. The straight, cylindrical bole can be up to 250cm in diameter[].
Widely harvested from the wild for its beautiful timber, the tree is being grown in plantations in order to satisfy demand[]. It is sometimes used as a pioneer tree when establishing woodland.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Australia - Queensland.

Habitat

Not known

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Habit	Tree
Height	35.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the moist tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 1,200 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 20 - 30°c, but can tolerate 10 - 38°c[]. It is able to withstand moderate frosts[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,500 - 3,500mm, but tolerates 1,100 - 3,800mm[].
Succeeds in full sun[]. Grows best in a well-drained, moderately fertile soil of medium texture[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5 - 6, tolerating 4.5 - 6.5[].
The tree should not be grown outside its native range because it is showing a tendency to become a vigorous weed[].
A fast-growing tree[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

A fast-growing tree that is a natural pioneer within its native range. It can be used for restoring degraded farmland to woodland, though should not be used outside its native range because of its tendency to become a weed[].

Other Uses

The tree yields a beautiful pink timber which is often figured like ruffled fabric[]. The heartwood is brownish-pink to flesh-pink and uniform in texture. The wood is durable in the weather but not in the ground. It is often decoratively figured and works and polishes well[]. It is used for cabinet work and is very suitable for the production of rotary and sliced veneers[].
We do not have any more information on the wood of this species. However, the following is a general description of the wood from species in this genus:-
The heartwood is brownish-pink, darkening upon exposure to a medium brown shade; it is demarcated from the narrow band of grayish sapwood. The texture is medium; the grain often interlocked, sometimes wavy or curly, producing a wide range of figure; the lustre is silky; the wood is slightly scented when freshly cut. The heartwood is rated as not durable. The wood seasons satisfactorily, with some tendency to warp and collapse. It works well in most hand and machine operations; torn grain is common when planing quartered surfaces; it takes a good finish; nails and
glues well. The wood is used for purposes such as fine furniture and cabinetwork, decorative veneers, interior joinery, paneling, musical instruments, rifle stocks[].

Propagation

Seed - germinates within a few weeks if sown fresh[].

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