General Description: A heavy hardwood, A large tree reaching a height of 42 m and a diameter of 0.9 m. A rather hard and heavy timber commonly used for high quality reproduction 'antique' furniture. This timber is also highly sought after for the production of strip flooring.
Timber Description:
Density: 515 - 1,040 kg/m3
Heartwood: yellowish to orange-brown when fresh, darkening to brown or dark red-brown on exposure.
Sapwood: pale yellow to light buff, sharply differentiated from the heartwood.
Spot Characters:
timber heavy.
vague growth rings figure presence.
wood parenchyma vasicentric to aliform and also in terminal parenchyma bands.
suplhur-yellow (sometimes dark-coloured) deposits common in vessels.
Utilisation: Merbau is a very attractive wood, with its growth ring figure and deep colour. The timber is suitable for interior flooring, panelling, strip and parquet flooring, superior joinery, cabinet-making, musical instruments, decorative and novelty items, veneers and power transmission poles. The timber is widely used for the manufacture of strip flooring.
General Description: A heavy hardwood timber in Malaysia. Three species are found in Peninsular Malaysia with Shorea guiso, also know as Membatu, being the most common. The trees are medium to large sized and widely scattered throughout Peninsular Malaysia.
Timber Description:
Density: 800-880 kg/m3
Heartwood: pink to red-brown.
Sapwood: well defined which is light pink to grey-brown.
Spot Characters:
timber moderately heavy.
vertical canals in long tangential series filled with white resin, usually smaller than the vessels.
parenchyma as short aliform.
texture fine to medium.
stripe figure on radial surface.
end-cut shiny.
Utilisation: The timber is suitable for heavy construction under cover, beams, posts, joists, heavy duty furniture, heavy duty flooring, door and window frames, railway sleepers (treated) and power transmission poles (treated).
Resak
strong>Scientific Name: Cotylelobium and Vatica spp. (Family: Dipterocarpaceae)
General Description: A heavy hardwood. Trees are usually small to medium sized and boles are usually cylindrical to a good height. Cotylelobium is found in low coastal hills of the eastern coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Vatica, on the other hand, is more widespread. Logs are usually resinous especially at both ends. Wood surfaces may also be seen with patches of resin very similar to that of Keruing timber.
Timber Description:
Density: 655-1,155 kg/m3
Heartwood: yellow-brown to brown or reddish-brown, sometimes with an olive tinge when fresh.
Sapwood: lighter in colour and usually distinct.
Spot Characters:
vessels moderately small to medium sized, exclusively solitary.
tyloses present.
vertivcal canals diffuse, not readily distinguished from vessels; however, the presence of dark or white coloured resin provides a clue to the presence of canals.
parenchyma in short narrow lines extending from ray to ray.
rays of two distinct sizes.
silver figure on radial surface.
Utilisation: The timber is suitable for all forms of heavy construction, bridges, piling, beams, posts, joists, heavy duty flooring, power transmission poles, railway sleepers, parquet flooring, heavy duty furniture and wooden containers.
General Description: Heavy Hardwood.Vernacular names applied include tembusu (Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak) with various epithets, banati (Sabah), meriang (Peninsular Malaysia), temasuk (Sabah) and various other localised names too numerous to be listed here. Major species include F. belukar, F. cuspidata, F. fragrans, F. gigantea, F. resinosa, F. rugulosa, F. spicata, F. teysmannii and F. volubilis. Also known as Kankrao, Tatrao and Trai (Cambodia); Buabua (Fiji); Anrali, Bangkoedoe poete, Kolaki, Nosu, Seranai, Tamosu and Tembesu (Indonesia); Mai man pa (Laos); Anan, Ananma and Burma yellowheart (Myanmar); Dolo, Teca, Tiaong and Urung (Philippines); Keramati (Soloman Islands); Tembusu (Sri Lanka); Kan Krao, Tam-sao and Trai (Thailand); and Trai (Vietnam).
Timber Description:
Density: 895-1,055 kg/m3
Heartwood: light yellow-brown, darkening on exposure to deep golden or orange-brown.
Sapwood: not differentiated from the heartwood.
Spot Characters:
durable.
texture is fine and even, with straight to slightly wavy grain.
nailing property is rated as good.
Utilisation: The timber is suitable for heavy construction, marine construction, posts, beams, joists, rafters, tool handles (impact), pallets (permanent heavy-duty type), door and window frames and sills, cooling tower (structural members), telegraphic and power transmission posts, bridges, flooring (heavy traffic), panelling, mouldings and heavy duty furniture. It has an excellent reputation as a carving timber.
General Description: Medium Hardwood. Major species include A. lawii, A. macrocarpa, A. malaccensis, A.multinervis, A. rubiginosa and A. spectabilis. Also known as Amali and Amoora (India); Bunjau, Kolaka, Lempega gunung, Parak api, Perak seluang, Tenge and Woloe lakoe (Indonesia); Mai Kuang Deng and Nok Kok (Laos); Amoora and Aukchinza-ni (Myanmar); Amoor (Pakistan); Amoora (Papua New Guinea), Kato (Philippines); Ta-sua (Thailand); and Goi noc (Vietnam).
Timber Description:
Density: 705-1,025 kg/m3
Heartwood: brick-red or dark red and becomes dark red-brown or walnut-brown on exposure.
Sapwood: straw-coloured.
Spot Characters:
moderately durable.
texture is slightly coarse and even, with interlocked and irregular grain.
nailing property is rated as excellent.
Utilisation: The timber is suitable for light to medium construction, decking, flooring (heavy traffic), power-line posts when treated, posts, beams, joists, rafters, pallets (heavy and permanent types), tool handles (impact), staircase (angle blocks, rough brackets, apron linings, baluster and balustrade) and boat planking.
General Description: Light Hardwood. Major species include C. borneensis, C. buruana, C. clemensii, C.curtisii, C. endertii, C. evansii, C. foxworthyi, C. fulva, C. hypophoenicea, C. inermis, C. javanica, C. malaccensis, C.microphylla, C. motleyana, C. oviformis, C. paucispina, C. psilophylla, C. rhamnifolia and C. schefferiana. Also know as Indian chestnut (India); Saninten (Indonesia); Fan, Ko and Ko deng (Laos); Katia (Mynmar); New Guinea oak (Papua New Guinea); Gasa and Philippines chestnut (Philippines); Khoduiy, Kholaem, Ko and Ko nam (Thailand); and Ca-oi (Vietnam).
Timber Description:
Density: 610-980 kg/m3
Heartwood: dark brown or dark red-brown.
Sapwood: light brown.
Spot Characters:
generally not durable, being susceptible to fungal, powder post and ambrosia beetle attacks.
texture is coarse and uneven due to the irregular distribution of the vessels. Grain is fairly straight but sometimes interlocked.
logs are generally free from defects. However, they are very susceptible to termite attacks.
Utilisation: The timber is suitable for medium to heavy construction under cover, furniture, packing boxes and crates, pallets (expendable type), door and window frames and sills, staircase (carriage and newel), tool handles (impact), railway sleepers, joinery, cabinet-making and plywood.
General Description: Light Hardwood, monotypic timber. Also known as Entelung and Kayu Kacang (Indonesia); and Banata (Myanmar).
Timber Description:
Density: 580-720 kg/m3
Heartwood: pale yellow with an olive-brown tinge, darkening to light orange-brown.
Sapwood: lighter in colour than the heartwood.
Spot Characters:
moderately durable.
texture is fine and even with straight or interlocked grain.
nailing property is rated as good.
Utilisation: The timber is suitable for general utility purposes, medium construction under cover, posts, beams, joists, rafters, railway sleepers, packing boxes and crates, joinery, cabinet-making, plywood, interior finishing, panelling, mouldings, partitioning, staircase (angle blocks, rough brackets, apron lining and balustrades), pallets for both expendable and permanent types (light duty) and furniture. In Indonesia, it has been successfully used in the manufacture of bent works like badminton rackets.
General Description: A medium hardwood. The trees are generally tall and cylindrical. Mainly found in the East Coast states of Peninsular Malaysia.
Timber Description:
Density: 580 - 820 kg/m3
Heartwood: rose-red to deep red or reddish-brown.
Sapwood: distinct, greyish or pale yellow.
Spot Characters:
vertical canals in long tangential series mostly free of resin.
vessels exclusively solitary, occasionally blocked by tyloses.
sometimes with distinct ripple marks.
camphor - like odour when fresh.
pin holes caused by ambrosia beetles are common.
Utilisation: The timber is suitable for medium construction, posts, beams, joists, rafters, flooring, plywood manufacture, laboratory benches and railway sleepers (treated).
Kelat
Scientific Name: Syzygium and Eugenia spp. (over 200 species in Malaysia) (Family: Myrtaceae)
General Description: A medium hardwood. The trees range from dwarfed and shrubby tree-lets to medium or large and are found in various types of vegetation.
Timber Description:
Density: 495 - 1.010 kg/m3
Heartwood: grey-brown, deep brown or red-brown, lusterless.
Sapwood: not sharply differentiated.
Spot Characters:
parenchyma arranged in indistinct wings to the vessels or fairly distinct aliform, usually slanting.
vessels medium sized, moderately few, mostly in radial groups.
rays barely visible to the naked eye.
Utilisation: The timber is strong enough to be used for structural purposes like posts, beams, joists, and rafters. If properly treated, may be suitable for tramways, railways sleepers for secondary lines, bridges , wharves and agricultural implements.
General Description: A medium hardwood, The trees are usually medium in size and distributed widely throughout the country but not abundant anywhere.
Timber Description:
Density: 500 - 945 kg/m3
Heartwood: yellow to dark brown or orange-brown, weathering to gold-brown to walnut-brown and orange tinge on surface.
Sapwood: light yellow to light brown with orangy tinge.
Spot Characters:
vessels medium to moderately large in size and surrounded by orange-coloured parenchyma tissue.
parenchyma mostly aliform.
tyloses present.
orange-coloured rays.
chalk-white vessel deposits common.
Utilisation: The timber is highly prized as a high-class coffin timber for the Chinese in Malaysia and much of the supply is diverted to this use. The timber is also suitable for flooring, parquet flooring, medium construction, furniture and panelling.
General Description: A medium hardwood. The trees are large and can be found abundantly in low-lying, undulating land and hill dipterocarp forest. Logs can be easily identified as their ends are usually coated with a layer of resin. There are 30 species of Keruing in Malaysia.
Timber Description:
Density: 690 - 945 kg/m3
Heartwood: red-brown, ageing to dull greyish-red.
Sapwood: distinct, lighter in colour.
Spot Characters:
vessels exclusively solitary.
vertical canals diffuse but mostly in short tangential lines, rarely in long tangential series.
rays of two distinct sizes.
resinous odour.
patches of resin may be found on the surface and end grain of the wood.
Utilisation: This timber is suitable for heavy construction, posts, beams, joists, rafters, truck body construction, container flooring and when treated, suitable for railway sleepers, harbour works, bridges, power-line poles and telegraph poles.
General Description: Light Hardwood, Vernacular name for the timber is kungkur throughout the country.
Timber Description:
Density: 465 - 850 kg/m3
Heartwood: light red-brown and darkens on exposure to a deep shade of brown.
Sapwood: white or light brown in colour.
Spot Characters:
moderately durable under exposed conditions and the sapwood is highly susceptible to powder-post beetle attacks.
texture is moderately coarse but even, with slightly interlocked and sometimes wavy grain.
nailing property is rated as good.
Utilisation: The timber is suitable for furniture manufacture, high-class cabinet work, interior finishing, panelling, mouldings, partitioning, carving, ornamental items, posts, beams, joists, rafters, railway sleepers, door and window frames and sills, plywood, staircase (angle blocks, rough brackets and balustrades) and flooring.
Mempening
Scientific Name: Lithocarpus spp. and Quercus spp. (Family: Fagaceae)
General Description: Medium Hardwood, widely used throughout the country and sabah oak in Sabah in obvious reference to its close botanical relationship with the temperate oaks. Major species include Lithocarpus cantleyanus, L. cyclophorus, L. encleisocarpus, L. ewyckii, L. gracilis, L. lampadarius, L. lucidus, L. maingayi, L. sundaicus, L. urceolaris, L. wallichianus; Quercus argentata and Q. gemelliflora. Also known as Indian oak (India); Kalal, Mempening batu, Mempening bunga, Mempening sunda, Obu, Pasang, Pinanak, Takalet and Uba (Indonesia); New Guinea oak (Papua New Guinea); Menaring, Oak and Pangnan (Philippines); Ko and Ko muu (Thailand); and Gie (Vietnam).
Timber Description:
Density: 575 - 1,010 kg/m3
Heartwood: yellow-brown and red-brown, sometimes dark red.
Sapwood: not always clearly defined but is usually lighter in colour than the heartwood.
Spot Characters:
moderately durable under exposed conditions.
texture is rather coarse and uneven due to the irregular distribution of the vessels and due to the wide rays.
grain is straight to interlocked and a true oak-line silver figure is prominent on the radial surface.
nailing property is poor.
Utilisation: The timber is suitable for heavy and medium construction if protected from termite attacks. It is also suitable for interior finishing, panelling, mouldings, joinery, cabinet making, decorative and high class furniture, flooring, staircase (apron lining, handrail and sprandrel framing), vehicle bodies (framework and floor boards), pallets (heavy duty and permanent type), plywood, columns (light duty), railway sleepers, tool handles (impact), door and window frames and sills, posts, beams, joists, rafters as well as telegraphic and power transmission posts and cross arms.
General Description: A medium hardwood. The trees are medium to large sized and found widely scattered in the country. The colour, texture and grain resemble some Dark Red Meranti timbers.
Timber Description:
Density: 625 - 895 kg/m3
Heartwood: pink-brown, red-brown or dark brown.
Sapwood: lighter in colour and not always sharply defined from the heartwood.
Spot Characters:
vessel large and few in number.
some of the large vessels with tail-like appendages of smaller vessels aligned radially.
parenchyma mainly as short, narrow tangential between rays.
rays of two distinct sizes.
characteristic speckle on tangential surface suggestive of mosquito netting.
coarse texture.
Utilisation: The timber is suitable for plywood manufacture, flooring, interior finishing, furniture, panelling, general planking and glue-laminated components.
General Description: There are about 13 species of Shorea classified under Balau in Malaysia. This timber is one of the most commonly used heavy hardwoods in the country. The trees are medium-sized to very large and grow up to 75m tall. Â
Timber Description:
Density: 850 - 1,155 kg/m3
Heartwood: yellow - brown, brown or red, darkening to darker brown, purple-brown or dark red-brown.
Sapwood: fairly distinct, lighter in colour.
Spot Characters:
Timber very heavy.
Vertical canals in long tangential series.
Vessels mostly solitary, crowded and small in size.
Texture fine and even.
Utilisation: The timber is suitable for all heavy construction, bridges, wharves, posts, beams, joists, heavy duty flooring, power-line poles, railway sleepers, lorry and truck bodies, container floor boards and heavy duty laboratory benches.
General Description: moderately durable under exposed conditions. It is especially resistant to fungal infection under normal conditions. The sapwood is susceptible to heavy damage by termites and in damp situations by fungus.
Timber Description:
Density: 495 - 980 kg/m3
Heartwood: yellow when fresh but darkens to light brown or red-brown on exposure.
Sapwood: generally lighter in colour and poorly defined from the heartwood.
Spot Characters:
moderately durable under exposed conditions. It is especially resistant to fungal infection under normal conditions. The sapwood is susceptible to heavy damage by termites and in damp situations by fungus.
texture is moderately fine and even, with interlocked grain.
nailing property is rated as very poor.
Hollow and spongy heart are the common defects found in many merawan logs although they are not nearly as extensive as in most red merantis. Compression failures are found in the areas with spongy heart (Thomas, 1970). The timber of some species ( sulcata, H. myrtifolia, H. dyeri andH. mengarawan) has been found to be very susceptible to damage by ambrosia beetles, whereas the timber of other species appears to be resistant (Desch, 1941). Most species of merawan are immune to powder-post beetle attacks, while other species are moderately susceptible (Menon, 1957). The sapwood of all species is liable to sapstain infection.
Utilisation: The timber is suitable for rafters, joists, door and window frames and sills (internal use), panelling, mouldings, partitioning, joinery, furniture, plywood, flooring, decking, staircase (angle blocks, rough bracket, baluster, balustrade, carriage, newel, riser, spandrel framing, stringer, tread, bullnose, round end and winder), columns (light duty), railway sleepers, vehicle bodies (framework, floor boards and planking), ship and boat building (keels, keelsons, framework and general planking), cooling tower (structural members) and tool handles (non impact). The heavier species are suitable for heavy construction under cover.
General Description: Medium Hardwood. Major species include X. affine, X. amoenum, X. obscurum and X. stipitatum. Also known as Gading, Gading batu, Lilin, Medang tanduk, Mendjalin and Minat angkat (Indonesia); Seng (Laos); Kam-gaw (Myanmar); Box wood (Papua New Guinea); Bok-bok and Malatadiang (Philippines); Chumsaeng, Khangkhao and Saeng (Thailand); and Sang ot (Vietnam).
Timber Description:
Density: 595 - 960 kg/m3
Heartwood: bright yellow when fresh and darkens to a strong orange-yellow.
Sapwood: not differentiated from the heartwood.
Spot Characters:
non-durable under exposed conditions and is also susceptible to drywood termites.
texture is moderately coarse to coarse and uneven. Grain is straight, sometimes wavy.
nailing property is rated as good.
Utilisation: The timber is suitable for medium and heavy construction, which is temporary or protected from attacks by drywood termites. It is also suitable for panelling, mouldings, flooring (heavy traffic), joists, staircase (angle block, rough bracket, newel, riser, tread, bullnose, round end and winder), planking, plywood, tool handles (impact) and pallets (permanent and heavy duty). When treated, it is suitable for telegraphic and power transmission posts and cross arms. The timber has also been successfully used for the manufacture of blockboards.
General Description: Medium Hardwood. Only one species is recorded, viz. E. tapos. Also known as Guhum, Kelampai, Lapak gari, Luba gunung, Pala, Para, Satan and Tapus (Indonesia); and Pee-ra and Pra (Thailand).
Timber Description:
Density: 735 - 1,235 kg/m3
Heartwood: dark brown with a red tinge and streaked alternately with lighter and darker stripes. A central core of darker coloured wood may be found in some trees.
Sapwood: light yellow-brown.
Spot Characters:
non-durable and is susceptible to termite and powder-post beetle attacks.
texture is moderately fine and even with straight or shallowly interlocked grain.
Utilisation: The timber is suitable for medium and heavy construction indoors and when treated, should be suitable for all heavy construction, railway sleepers, flooring, tool handles (impact), columns (light duty), fence posts, telegraphic and power line posts and cross arms.
General Description: Medium Hardwood. This genus has only one species, viz. O. amentacea. Also known as Amin, Ampalang, Empilung, Lembasung, Petaling, Petikal, Pilung, Satan bagiuk, Tilokot and Tumbung asu (Indonesia).
Timber Description:
Density: 800 - 1,105 kg/m3
Heartwood: red-brown to purple red-brown, darkening on exposure.
Sapwood: dark yellow-brown or light red-brown.
Spot Characters:
moderately durable under exposed conditions.
texture is fine and even with interlocked grain.
nailing property is rated as poor.
Utilisation: The timber is suitable for piling, heavy and medium construction under cover, tool handles (impact), heavy duty furniture, railway sleepers, telegraphic and power transmission posts and cross arms, flooring, pallets, packing boxes and crates, columns (light duty), staircase (carriage, newel, riser, sprandrel framing, stringer, tread, bullnose, round end and winder), joinery and cabinet making.
Rengas
Scientific Name: Gluta spp. and Melanochyla spp. (Family: Anacardiaceae)
General Description: Medium Hardwood. The major species contributing to the timber include Gluta aptera, G. elegans, G. malayana, G. renghas, G. torquata, G. wallichii, G. wrayi; Melanochyla auriculata, M. bracteata, M. caesia and M. fulvinervis. Also known as Rengas (Brunei); Kroeul (Cambodia); Gluta (India); Anga, Poei and Rengas (Indonesia); Mai nam kiang (Laos); Burma Gluta, Chay, Thayet-thitsi and Thitsi (Myanmar); Hekakoro (Papua New Guinea); Lingas (Philippines); and Rak and Rak-ban (Thailand).
Timber Description:
Density: 640 - 960 kg/m3
Heartwood: dark red-brown or deep blood-red, with bands of darker, almost black streaks.
Sapwood: light pink-brown or light brown.
Spot Characters:
moderately durable, being susceptible to termite attacks.
texture is moderately coarse to fairly fine and even, with interlocked or occasionally straight grain.
nailing property is rated as excellent.
the logs of rengas are generally free from defects except for few heart shakes.
Utilisation: Due to the poisonous nature of the sap, the timber is not very often exploited. The seasoned timber, however, is quite safe to handle and is highly prized as a cabinet wood due to its streaky figure and blood-red colour. The timber is also suitable for decorative works, panelling, mouldings, superior joinery, picture frames, flooring, plywood, furniture, railway sleepers, posts, beams, joists, rafters, pallets (permanent light duty), door and window frames and sills (internal use), tool handles (impact), ornamental items and walking sticks. The timber is strong enough for medium construction provided it is protected from termites.
Sengkuang
Scientific Name: Dracontomelon dao (Family: Anacardiaceae)
General Description: Light Hardwood. Also known as Basuong, Dahu and Sengkuang (Indonesia); Nga-bauk (Myanmar); Koel, Laup, Mon and Papua New Guinea walnut (Papua New Guinea); Dao, Lamio and Ulandug (Philippines); and Phrachao ha phra ong (Thailand).
Timber Description:
Density: 500 - 690 kg/m3
Heartwood: produced by some trees is coloured and is walnut grey-brown, while other trees produce a greyish or greenish yellow heartwood with irregular concentric dark brown to nearly black bands.
Sapwood: pinkish or greyish yellow.
Spot Characters:
non-durable under exposed conditions and is susceptible to termite attacks.
texture is moderately coarse and even with straight or interlocked and sometimes wavy grain.
Utilisation: The coloured material is highly prized as a cabinet wood and is suitable for furniture manufacture, interior finishing, panelling, mouldings and plywood. The uncoloured material is suitable for temporary construction, shuttering, pallets (expendable type) as well as packing boxes and crates.
General Description: Medium Hardwood. Major species include D. borneensis, D. excelsa, D. grandifolia, D. pulchella and D. reticulata. Also known as Poplea and San (Cambodia); Kukulava and Kulava (Fiji); Dillenia (India); Kendikara and Simpur jangkang (Indonesia); Phao and San kham (Laos); Mai-masan, Thabyu and Zinbyum (Myanmar); Dillenia and Majongga (Papua New Guinea); Katmon and Katmon-layugan (Philippines); Kapuchu and Mudi (Soloman Islands); Godapura (Sri Lanka); and Masan, San, San-Na and Tamasi (Thailand).
Timber Description:
Density: 675 - 820 kg/m3
Heartwood: red-brown, sometimes with a purplish tinge and darkens on exposure.
Sapwood: lighter in colour and merges gradually into the heartwood.
Spot Characters:
not durable.
texture is coarse and uneven, with straight to shallowly interlocked grain.
nailing property is rated as poor.
Freshly felled logs are usually sound except for some heart shakes. The logs are liable to split badly soon after felling, frequently throughout the whole length of the logs. Sawn material of simpoh is prone to spring badly. Other degrades of the timber such as warping and twisting are common during seasoning. Some specimens of simpoh were found to be attacked by powder-post beetles.
Utilisation: The timber has an attractive silver figure and is suitable for decorative works, plywood, interior finishing, panelling, mouldings, joinery, cabinet making, flooring, furniture and ornamental items. It is also suitable for posts, beams, joists, door and window frames and sills, railway sleepers, staircase (tread, stringer, apron lining, carriage, newel and riser), vehicle bodies (planking), ship and boat building (general planking), piling, columns (light duty), cooling tower (non-structural members) as well as telegraphic and power transmission posts and cross arms.
