Shorea is a tropical hardwood that is comparable to teak. Because of its high oil content it is resistant to rotting, bug infestation, and the effects of wind, rain, sun, and snow. If left untreated, shorea weathers naturally to a beautiful silver gray color.

Is shorea wood expensive?

On the other hand, shorea wood and eucalyptus are both grown in abundance. This makes them less expensive for the consumer, even though they are also dense woods that both look great and hold up excellently in an outdoor environment.

Is shorea wood sustainable?

More than half of the Shorea species are listed by IUCN as critically endangered, endangered or vulnerable. Two Intsia species are listed by IUCN as vulnerable.

Where does shorea wood come from?

Shorea (Shorea spp) or sal trees can be found in rainforests and parts of Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, the Philippines and the Terai region of Nepal, where there is an abundant supply.

What is acacia wood?

Acacia wood is known for its natural wood grain variation and distinct beauty. Acacia wood derives from the Australian-native trees and shrubs and produces a solid, durable hardwood that is most commonly used in long-lasting furniture goods.

Which wood is better than teak?

Teak Wood has a denser texture and higher tensile strength than Sheesham which makes it heavier. Being heavy, teak is preferred over Sheesham when making Furniture. However, for small or fold-able units, like handicrafts and decor products, Sheesham is preferred.

Is shorea a fruit?

Flower blooms usually last for 2 weeks. Fruit consist of nut (13 -21 mm long and 8 – 12 mm wide) with 3 longer wings (13 – 21mm long) and 2 shorter wings (2 – 10 mm long). Lobes on calyx base are present. Timber & Products ( Shorea macroptera is harvested for timber. )

What is shorea SPP?

Shorea spp. are insect pollinated and a variety of insects have been implicated, with species within the sections of Shorea sharing the same insect pollinators. Flowering within a section is sequential within one habitat and species association to prevent competition for pollinators.

What wood is most similar to teak?

• Teak is highly prized around the world for its multiple uses. …
• From the contested rainforests of Southeast Asia comes teak’s closest alternative: shorea. …
• Other, less commonly cited substitutes for teak include mahogany, bubinga, eucalyptus, and treated maple.

Is shorea edible?

The seeds are also ground into a coarse flour to make bread, and oil from the seeds of the Sal tree is also extracted commercially and used as a substitute for cocoa butter. The ‘Seed butter’ is also used in cooking, and the plant itself is also consumed, but only as faine food. )

Article first time published on

How is shorea dispersed?

The seeds drop from the tree (which is a tropical hardwood). There is a whorl of leaves surrounding each seed, not unlike wings. On falling, the wings cause the seed to spin like a helicopter. This, together with wind, carries the seed away from the parent tree.

Which type of wood is the most environmentally friendly?

Which woods are most sustainable? Timber is usually classified as either hardwood, from broad leafed trees, such as Beech and Oak, or softwood from conifers like Pine and Fir. Simply because they’re replaceable, fast-growing species like Pine trees tend to be more sustainable than slow-growing trees like Oak.

Is Pacific Maple a hardwood or softwood?

The wood is one of the few commercial hardwood species on the Pacific Coast and the only commercial maple of note on the West Coast.

What is iroko wood?

iroko wood, wood of the iroko tree (Chlorophora excelsa), native to the west coast of Africa. … The wood is tough, dense, and very durable. It is often used in cabinetmaking and paneling as a substitute for teak, which it resembles both in colour (light brown to deep golden-brown) and in grain.

Is acacia wood waterproof?

Acacia wood is a dense wood which makes it both highly durable and water resistant. These are both ideal qualities to have for heavily used furniture and cabinets that are frequently used and come into contact with water.

Why is acacia wood so popular?

The most common use is the cultivation of acacia for wood in the manufacture of furniture. It is a very resistant wood, so it is also used to make support beams for the construction of buildings. The beautiful wood is also used in carving such as making bowls and for decorative uses.

Does acacia wood scratch easily?

characteristics of Acacia Wood Babul, and Acacia as a whole, has a naturally fine texture (also considered a smooth finish). It’s also highly scratch resistant in comparison to other hardwoods. The grain can vary between straight and wavy patterns, and the color can range from a light amber to a dark mahogany.

What tree is Meranti?

Lyctid Borer Susceptibility:SusceptibleTermite Resistance:Not Resistant

Is shorea dispersed by wind?

Demonstrating wind dispersal of Shorea fruit using its wing-like structure.

Is meranti a good Wood?

Meranti is one of the easiest hardwood to deal, such as it easily cuts, machines processes just as sands. Meranti Wood is one of the reasonable hardwoods so it is utilized for moulding, furniture, structure, window, cupboards, and door trim for plywood.

Is Oak better than teak?

Key difference: Oak is considered to be a hardwood, heavy, long-lasting and expensive. Oak is also known for its strength and durability, as well as high resistance to moisture and humidity. Teak wood is another type of hardwood. … In fact, teak is famous for its high oil content, high tensile strength, and tight grain.

Which wood is best for home?

Type of woodAdvantagesWhite cedar woodMost durable type of timber, resistant to termites and very strong.Sal woodBeautiful texture, aesthetic appeal and versatile.Indian rosewoodAttractive wood grain, versatile nature and very hard and tough.Oak woodVery strong, heavy and durable.

Is Rosewood better than teak?

Rosewood is great for carvings It’s a tad more expensive than teak wood but makes up for the price by being durable and termite-resistant.

Which is better teak or mahogany?

MahoganyTeakLeavesEasily degradableTakes a long time to decompose

Is Eucalyptus as durable as teak?

Teak and eucalyptus are both strong and long-lasting, but woodworkers and carpenters consider teak as king when comparing the two. … Although similar in color and density and having the same straight, tight grain as teak, furniture made of eucalyptus wood is slightly less durable.

How can you tell if furniture is teak?

To identify teak wood, look for wood with a straight grain that looks like lines or streaks of a darker color. You should also ask the seller if the wood is stained, since staining wood masks its true color. If the wood isn’t stained, teak will appear dark golden-brown to yellowish-white in color.

Is meranti a hardwood or softwood?

Meranti is a soft to firm hardwood timber. Meranti is not subject to warping or twisting and is dent resistant. Because of its stability it can be used for a wide variety of applications.

What wood is Luan?

Luan, also spelled lauan, refers to a tropical hardwood plywood product usually made from trees in the Shorea family. It has many home and hobby applications and is readily available at lumberyards and home improvement stores. The term typically refers to a plywood panel 1/4 or, less commonly, 1/8 inch thick.

What is meranti timber?

Meranti timber is a versatile durable soft to medium density hardwood ideal for internal applications. The timber displays beautiful reddish to golden brown variations depending on its origins and has a moderately coarse and straight grain.

What is shorea robusta resin?

Shorea Robusta Resin is a resinous exudate from Shorea robusta. DAMAR, DAMAR GUM, DAMAR; GUM DAMAR, DAMMAR, GUM DAMAR, GUM, SHOREA ROBUSTA, SHOREA ROBUSTA GUM, and SHOREA ROBUSTA RESIN.

Does shorea bear fruit?

A plant of lowland areas in the moist tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 600 metres[451 ]. Plants are tolerant of periodically inundated soils[451 ]. This species is one of the fastest growing trees in the genus[338 ]. … The tree does not start to bear fruit until it is 18 – 25 years old[370 ].