“It is the world’s best timber,” he said.

“It doesn’t decompose, it loves being wet.

“It matures at 1500 years of age and continues to mature because of its high oil content.”

He has chosen it for sculpting and carving objects ranging from large pieces to the handles of small knives to sell to the public.

He and wife Judi will be selling their products at Sunday’s Emmaville Cottage Family Market Day – the final event of the 2018 Banjo Paterson Festival of Australian Poetry in Orange.

Mr Francis said he made regular trips to Tasmania to collect timber for his work.

“All of it has come from Macquarie Harbour down in Strahan,” he said.

“It washes down after there are big storms.”

While big opeations will buy up the largest, straightest and cleanest pieces he is looking for  unusual shapes with character that he can sculpt.

He said it didn’t take him long to complete even the big works.

“It’s probably in the order of three or four days,” he said.

“I would pick it up three to four times a day and think what can I do with it.”

Mr Francis has been working with wood for 40 years.

However he has concentrated on the Huon pine work in his retirement.

He said buyer preferences varied, particularly for his largest pieces.

“You can go three to four markets and not sell any but then you will sell two at one market.”

Mrs Francis said smaller items were popular.

“The cheeseboards, cutting knives, they’re the ones that sell the best,” she said.

The family market day is on from 9am-2pm on Sunday near the Botanic Gardens with a gold coin donation for entry.

There will also be entertainment, food stalls and an open mic to encourage people to read poetry.

The Rotary Breakfast and Poetry in the Park event will also be on at Robertson Park from 7.30am-9am on Saturday.

Later in the day bush poets Mel and Susie will lead the fun Banjo & Beers open mic poetry event at the Lord Anson Hotel from 3pm-5.30pm.

Entry is free.