Responding to Mike Kitner's question about red gum wood.  I own a
sawmill, and am interested in all things in that industry.  When I
visited Australia a few years ago I made a point of visiting many of
the sawmills there.  Red gum was the dominating wood sawed in many
areas, especially near the Murray River, north of Melbourne.  It
appeared to me to be a bit of a brittle wood (eyeball estimate only).
It is really in the eucalyptus family.

It also grows in California too, but I have never encountered a sawmill
working it there.  Certainly none of the big mills would be using it,
but it is possible if someone knew of a small family mill, they either
may have some or would be willing to saw some for you.

Another possibly is that some of our friends "down under" may be able
to give you a source for it from a local mill in Victoria province,
that would be willing to ship to you.

Charles Hildebrant