Heartwood color ranges from pink to reddish brown. Paler sapwood is sometimes indistinct from heartwood. Usually straight-grained or shallowly interlocked, with a uniform medium to coarse texture. Fairly easy to work with both hand and machine tools, though Rose Gum experiences a large amount of shrinkage when drying, and a relatively large amount of movement in service. Glues, stains, and finishes well.