homegrown exotics

[liam_fnq]

We saw a little while ago that Jim harvested some homegrown African Mahogany. If my memory serves correctly, in Darwin growing conditions it grew much quicker and was large enough in 20 years. Obviously it's not going to have the exact same qualities as its African brothers and sisters. So............

Why can't I grow Brazilian Rosewood, Zircote, African Blackwood etc. in the back yard? Obviously customs aren't going to let me import seeds or seedlings but are any of these exotic tonewoods already in the country?

[DarwinStrings]

You may be able to import seeds (a mate of mine imports Orchid seeds from Asia for commercial purpose) although you would have to find a reputable supplier or you might get the wrong species. A local wood turner had some B. rosewood that came from a station south of here and judging by his pieces you could have got a four piece back out of it. The guys at the bot gardens here have a E.I. rosewood booked for me as they will have to remove it sooner or later. You could arm yourself with the botanical name of the species you want and phone the Bot gardens around the country, if you get the right person on the phone they may be very helpful.

Jim

Life is good when you are amongst the wood

Edit. There is also a African Blackwood conservation project going on so you may be able to work something out with them if you can get in touch with them.

[John Maddison]

Been thinking exactly the same thing, Liam, but at my age I'd be in a nursing home by the time they mature. The Australian National Botanic Gardens has an extensive list of Australian suppliers here, though it states the site hasn't been updated since '04 ... might save you the hassles of importation & quarantine red tape if you can source seeds locally.

[Steve]

I reckon that the Botanic Gardens is a great idea - certainly the easiest place to pick up seeds (but don't get caught helping yourself). Cairns has a pretty extensive one from what I recall. A lot of these old gardens had heaps of exotics - life was much simpler before quarantine regulations. It isn't impossible to import seeds from South America, but it can be really tricky (=expensive) - AQIS (quite rightly) are pretty keen to keep guava rust out.
Steve

[Pete Brown]

Liam, you must be a patient man.

If you're willing to experiment with seed and prolong the process even further, there are a few familiar species available from AustraHort, whose online catalogue is at:
http://www.austrahort.com.au/other/misc ... l-products.

Although I didn't notice any of the species you specifically mentioned, I did notice:
Khaya senegalensis (African mahogany)
Swietenia macrophylla (Honduras mahogany)
Flindersia brayleyana (Queensland maple)
Dalbergia latifolia (East Indian rosewood)
Pterocarpus indicus (New Guinea rosewood/Narra)