Araucaria Heterophylla - Uses

Uses

The first European known to have sighted Norfolk Island was Captain James Cook, in 1774 on his second voyage to the South Pacific in HMS Resolution. Cook noted the presence of large quantities of tall, straight trees which appeared to be suitable for use as masts and yards for sailing ships. However, when the island was occupied in 1788 by convicts transported from Britain, it was found that Norfolk Island Pine was not resilient enough for these uses and the industry was abandoned.

In the late 1950s a trial shipment of Norfolk Pine logs was sent to Sydney plywood manufacturers in the hope of developing a timber export industry for the Island. Although the plywood companies reported excellent results the industry was deemed not sustainable by the Norfolk Island Advisory Council who decided to reserve local timber production for use on the Island. The timber is good for woodturning, and is extensively used by Hawaiian craftspeople.