About New Zealand Beeches
The genus Nothofagus (false beech) named by early botanists for a likeness to European Beech has since been proven genetically distinct, and they are now included in a family their own, the Nothofagaceae.
The genus Nothofagus (false beech) named by early botanists for a likeness to European Beech has since been proven genetically distinct, and they are now included in a family their own, the Nothofagaceae. Four species grow in New Zealand, one of which has two varieties. They are Nothofagus fusca (Red beech), Nothofagus menziesii (Silver beech), Nothofagus truncarta (Hard beech), Nothofagus solandri (Black beech) and solandri var. cliffortioides (Mountain beech).
A feature of Red and Hard beech (once dry) is their exceptional dimensional stability, strength and toughness, making these close-grain hardwearing timbers ideally suited for feature flooring. They machine, glue and sand easily and except stains very well. The beeches can be polished to achieve a lustre and patina unmatched by other timbers. Beech timbers are not susceptible to attack by borer insects including Lycrtus spp. and common borer, Anobium spp. The heartwood of Red and Hard beech are classified as equivalent to H3.2 treatment class, or durable in non ground contact for 25 years.
Dunsinane Forest