Teak

True Burma teak has a uniform dark golden-brown heartwood, which is free of markings and darkens to a mid- or dark brown on exposure. Most teak is a dark golden-yellow that turns to a rich brown with darker, deep brown markings. The distinct narrow to medium-width sapwood is white to pale yellow. The grain is typically straight but sometimes wavy, with a coarse, uneven texture and an oily feel.

Properties:

Teak is a hard, medium-density wood, strong and durable. It has low stiffness and resistance to shock loads, with high crushing strength, medium bending strength and moderate steam-bending qualities. It is acid- and fire-resistant. The wood is relatively easy to work with both hand and machine tools, but does have a severe blunting effect on cutting edges due to its silica content, so tungsten-carbide-tipped (TCT) blades are advisable. Pre-boring is advised for nails and screws. Provided cutters are kept sharp, it bores, routs, carves, turns and moulds fairly well; newly finished surfaces glue well. It can be brought to a satisfactory finish, and paints, varnishes and stains fairly well.

Seasoning:

The wood dries slowly and care must be taken to avoid degrade. This can include checking, iron staining, ring failure, honeycombing and collapse. There is small movement in use.

Durability:

American walnut heartwood is highly durable, resistant to decay and to preservative treatment. The sapwood is permeable for treatment, and can be vulnerable to the powder-post beetle.

Typical Uses:

A prized cabinetmaking wood, it is also the chosen wood in the US for gunstocks and rifle butts. It is also used for quality furniture, architectural work, flooring, boatbuilding, musical instruments, turnery, carving, office furniture, kitchen cabinets, sporting goods and umbrella handles. It is sliced for decorative veneers and is an important wood for making plywood. The tree also produces edible nuts.

Tectona grandis (Verbenaceae)

Also called:

Burma teak, djati, mai sak, sagwan, tekku, tegina, jati sak, gia thi, rosawa, tik

Grows:

Canada and USA

Weight per Board Foot:

3.4 lbs

Typical dry weight:

40lb/ft3 (650kg/m3)

Specific Gravity:

.65

Typical Height:

70-90ft (21-27m)

Trunk Diameter:

2-4ft (0.6-1.2m)**4'x8' 10mm Paper Back Veneer
2 bf min