karri

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris

or Kari


n.

aboriginal name(Western Australia) for Eucalyptus diversicolor.F. v. M.

1870. W. H. Knight, `Western Australia: Its History,Progress, Condition, etc.,' p. 38:

«The Karri ( eucalyptus colossea) is another wood verysimilar in many respects to the tuart, and grows to an enormoussize.»

1875. T. Laslett, `Timber and Timber Trees,' p. 196:

«The kari-tree is found in Western Australia, and is said to bevery abundant . . . of straight growth and can be obtainedof extraordinary size and length. . . . The wood is red incolour, hard, heavy, strong, tough, and slightly wavy or curledin the grain.»

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants,' p. 444:

«Commonly known as `karri,' but in its native habitat asblue-gum. . . . The durability of this timber for lengthenedperiods under ground yet remains to be proved.»

1896. `The Inquirer and Commercial News,' [Perth] July 3,p. 4, col. 5:

«Mr. J. Ednie Brown, conservator of forests . . . expressesastonishment at the vastness of the karri forests there. Theywill be in a position to export one thousand loads of karritimber for street-blocking purposes every week.»

1896. `The Times' (Weekly Edition), Dec. 4, p. 822, col. 1:

«Karri, Eucalyptus diversicolor, is the giant tree ofWestern Australia. an average tree has a height of about200ft., and a diameter of 4 ft. at 3 ft. or 4 ft. above theground. The tree is a rapid grower, and becomes marketable in30 or 40 years, against 50 years for jarrah. Karri timber isbeing largely exported for London street-paving, as its surfaceis not easily rendered slippery.»