Teak

Names and distribution: Teak(Tectona grandis) belongs to the Verbenaceae family and is naturally distributed in India and Myanmar (Burma teak). Teak plantations were also established in various countries at the beginning of the 20th century. The oldest plantations are in Indonesia. Plantations have also been established in Papua New Guinea, West Africa, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Ecuador and Brazil (Mato Grosso) in recent decades, bringing timber of varying quality to the market. The tree is characterized by good growth rates, low pest infestation and high resistance to bush fires. It is therefore very valuable in silvicultural terms and is considered a model of success in tropical forestry.

Wood appearance: Heartwood light to dark brown, sapwood white with clear boundaries. Pores in earlywood medium coarse, strongly hyalized, arranged in narrow, mostly long rows along the growth rings. Pores in latewood scattered; storage cells band-shaped. Fiber course usually straight, occasionally alternating, decorative.

Properties: The density at 12% moisture content is 0.64 ^t/m3 (Burmateak). Plantation steak is usually lower, depending on its origin and age. The shrinkage from the fresh state to u=12% is specified as 5.0% tangential and 2.6% radial. Teak has very good stability. Processing is possible with all tools, although the service life is shorter than with European woods due to mineral deposits. Decorative and smooth surfaces can be created. Planed surfaces show an attractive gloss, polish is well absorbed. Due to the high oil content, PU-based gluing is recommended. Fresh wood has a distinctly aromatic smell. Burmateak can be kept untreated and in contact with the ground for up to 25 years and is classified as durability class 1. Plantation steak has a shorter shelf life and is classified as grade 2-3.

Uses: High-quality construction timber in shipbuilding, also for dimensionally stable frames, for furniture, especially garden furniture, parquet flooring and floorboards, as well as tools and spirit levels.