Eucalyptus - how does it patina?

[Mark Gibney]

Here's a slice of what I think is eucalyptus (I found a chunk of a log at the side of the road about ten years back).

Does the wonderful red color change over time?
Will it end up similar to the brownish band nearer the bark? I'd be fine with that by the way, it's also pretty attractive.



Eucalyptus.jpg

Edit: I realize looking at this photo, that it looks quite like a mahogany. However, this wood is very very heavy, and very hard. So I'm pointing this out to help avoid any confusion. It's quarter sawn, too.

[Brian Holcombe]

It's not at all like mahogany in person in my experience. Very pink, I haven't noticed it to do anything wild over time except get slightly darker.

[Bill Dufour]

It rots fast outside. Corkscrews as it drys. 99% chance it is red or blue gum if it grew in California.
Bill D

[Jamie Buxton]

If it dried without end-checking, it is likely not eucalyptus.

But as a general rule, red lumber goes to brown over the years.

[Mark Gibney]

Thanks for the replies, guys.

Jamie, my expectation is that this wood will become browner, and less red, over time.
But Brian says no, it tends to become a darker red?

The reason this is important is that I could use more of the board I re-sawed from the log if I can include both the brown and red wood.

Bill, the log was short, so maybe there just wasn't enough of it to corkscrew wildly. It'll be useful for boxes, perhaps, and not much else.