Teak is a kind of tropical hardwood with high quality of wood; strong, robust and not easily shriveled under different temperatures. The durability and water resistance make it preferable to build boat, dock, and outdoor furniture.

The height of the tree reaches up to 130 feet with more than 4 feet diameter, usually has small white flowers which are gradually ripe and each becomes a small cherry contains oil.





Teak wood is drowns in water except when its dry. It contains more elements and has a nice looking shape with the intensity of robustness which incomparable to other types of timber.

Traditional craftsmen building wooden boat in Indonesia

Teak contains a lot of oil that make it stable and resistant when left dried in the sun for years, and is not affected by the weather condition during the season changes. The oil make it stable and resistant when left dried in the sun or wet inside water for years. It will stand and not affected by the weather condition during the season changes.

Teak plantation

The world largest teak plantation is found in Java island, owned by Indonesia state through PERHUTANI a state owned forest enterprises.

The planting and harvesting cycle is strictly controlled to preserve natural resources while providing high quality  wood to industries. The size and the age of the harvested timber is limited, the timber age has to be more than ten years old before it harvested.


Once the timber ready to be harvested, the log is perforated to the core at the bottom. This is to release the water inside the wood to reduce the moisture content of the timber. The timber is left standing for more than a year to allow it dry naturally, this process called “Teres” in Java, it requires 1 to 2 years before timber ready for the felling.

 

Specifications

Names : TEAK (TECTONA GRANDIS)
Other names : Kyun, sagwan, teku, teka, jati
Sources : South & South East Asia, Africa, Caribbean
Characteristics of the tree :
The tree vary in size according to the growing conditions, usually can reach 45 meters (150 ft) in height, produces a long straight trunk about 1.5 meters ( 5 ft) in diameter. The trunk can be fluted and buttressed for support.
Characteristics of the wood :
It has a course of uneven textures with oily feel. The grains can be straight or wavy according to the origin. Indonesia’s teak wood is mostly golden brown, others are darker and more marketable. The wood is strong with moderate steam bending properties. Naturally durable.
You can read more about teak wood in wikipedia