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View optionBlue Gum Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Blue Gum is best understood by how it looks, how it works, and where it should be used. This guide explains the practical buying details before sending you to the right Kingma products.
Scientific nameEucalyptus globulus
Janka hardness2,370 lbf
Average dried weight51 lb/ft³
Best fitTurned objects
Overview
Why choose Blue Gum?
Blue Gum is an imported specialty hardwood. Its natural range is Southern Australia and Tasmania; plantations in subtropical regions grow it widely too. Common uses include turned objects, veneer, flooring, fence posts, pulpwood for paper, pallets and utility lumber.
Scientific nameEucalyptus globulus
DistributionSouthern Australia and Tasmania; plantations in subtropical regions grow it widely too
ShrinkageRadial: 6.8%, Tangential: 12.8%, Volumetric: 19.7%, T/R Ratio: 1.9 More images | Identification
DurabilityThe wood is moderately durable but susceptible to insects.
Blue Gum colour, grain, and figure
Heartwood is light yellowish brown and the narrow sapwood is pale gray or white.
Grain is usually interlocked and texture is even, medium to coarse. Natural shine is low.
Working notes
Hand and machine tools give moderately good results, but interlocked grain, particularly on quartersawn faces, often causes tearout when planing or surfacing. Blue gum carries many internal stresses, is hard to dry and moves a lot in service, so keep it out of work that needs stability.
Serious reactions are uncommon, but blue gum has caused reports of skin irritation.
Blue Gum should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Blue Gum
Best projects
Common uses include turned objects, veneer, flooring, fence posts, pulpwood for paper, pallets and utility lumber.
Use caution
Avoid specifying it by name alone; confirm board size, moisture, colour, figure, and the project environment before buying.
Finish strategy
Test finishes on offcuts first, especially when colour, blotching, outdoor exposure, or grain filling matters.
Buying note
Choose boards, slabs, plywood, blanks, or posts based on the project rather than species name alone.
Shop path
Buying Blue Gum from Kingma
Start with the direct species match when Kingma sells it. If stock rotates, use the closest live collection or a clearly explained alternative.
Live edge slabs
Use when the customer cares more about slab format and visual impact than this exact species.
View optionSimilar woods and alternatives
If Kingma does not have an exact match online, use the buying links below as practical alternatives only when the colour, grain, hardness, or project environment makes sense.
Blue Gum FAQ
What is Blue Gum best used for?
Common uses include turned objects, veneer, flooring, fence posts, pulpwood for paper, pallets and utility lumber. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Blue Gum beginner friendly?
It depends on density, grain direction, and tooling. Test cuts on offcuts first, and choose Maple, Cherry, Walnut, or Poplar when easier machining is the priority.
Does Kingma sell Blue Gum?
The buying section on this page links to any Blue Gum Kingma has in stock and to the closest alternatives. Stock changes often, so call (780) 229-7681 or visit the yard at 4607 91 Ave NW, Edmonton to check what is in today.