Teak is the common name for the tropical
hardwood tree species Tectona grandis and its wood products.
Tectona grandis is native to south and southeast Asia, mainly India,
Indonesia, Malaysia, and Burma, but is naturalized and cultivated in many
countries, including those in Africa and the Caribbean. Burma accounts for
nearly one third of the world's total teak production.
The word teak comes from the Tamil (in
the Dravidan region) word thekku. This tree is mentioned in the
seventh-century literature of Tamil popularly known as the Tevaram.
Tectona grandis is a large,
deciduous tree that is dominant in mixed hardwood forests. It has small,
fragrant white flowers and papery leaves that are often hairy on the lower
surface.
Cultivation
Teak is a yellowish brown timber with
good grains and texture. It is used in the manufacture of outdoor furniture,
boat decks, and other articles where weather resistance is desired. It is also
used for cutting boards, indoor flooring, countertops and as a veneer for
indoor furnishings.
Teak, though easily worked, can cause
severe blunting on edged tools because of the presence of silica in the wood.
Teak's natural oils make it useful in exposed locations, and make the timber
termite and pest resistant. Teak is durable even when not treated with oil or
varnish. Timber cut from old teak trees was once believed to be more durable
and harder than plantation grown teak. Studies have shown Plantation Teak
performs on par with old-growth teak in erosion rate, dimensional stability,
warping, and surface checking, but is more susceptible to color change from UV
exposure.
The vast majority of commercially
harvested teak is grown on teak plantations found in Indonesia and controlled
by Perum Perhutani (a state owned forest enterprise) that manages the country's
forests. The primary use of teak harvested in Indonesia is in the production of
outdoor teak furniture for export.
Teak consumption raises a number of
environmental concerns, such as the disappearance of rare old-growth teak.
However, its popularity has led to growth in sustainable Plantation Teak
production throughout the seasonally dry tropics in forestry plantations. The
Forest Stewardship Council offers certification of sustainably grown and
harvested teak products. Propagation of teak via tissue culture for plantation
purposes is commercially viable.
Much of the world's teak is exported by
Indonesia and Myanmar. There is also a rapidly growing plantation grown market
in Central America (Costa Rica) and South America.
Hyblaea puera, a moth native to
southeast Asia, is a teak pest whose caterpillar feeds on teak and other
species of trees common in the region.
Uses
Teak is used extensively in India to
make doors and window frames, furniture, and columns and beams in old type
houses. It is very resistant to termite attacks. Mature teak fetches a very
good price. It is grown extensively by forest departments of different states
in forest areas.
Leaves of the teak wood tree are used
in making Pellakai gatti (jackfruit dumpling), where batter is poured into a
teak leaf and is steamed. This type of usage is found in the coastal district
of Udupi in the Tulunadu region in South India. The leaves are also used in
gudeg, a dish of young jackfruit made in Central Java, Indonesia, and give the
dish its dark brown color.
Teak is used as a food plant by the
larvae of moths of the genus Endoclita including E. aroura, E.
chalybeatus, E. damor, E. gmelina, E. malabaricus, E.
sericeus and E. signifer and other Lepidoptera including Turnip
Moth.
Teak is used extensively in boat decks,
as it is extremely durable and requires very little maintenance. The teak tends
to wear in to the softer 'summer' growth bands first, forming a natural
'non-slip' surface. Any sanding is therefore only damaging. Use of modern
cleaning compounds, oils or preservatives will shorten the life of the teak, as
it contains natural teak-oil a very small distance below the white surface.
Wooden boat experts will only wash the teak with salt water, and re-caulk when
needed. This cleans the deck, and prevents it from drying out and the wood
shrinking. The salt helps it absorb and retain moisture, and prevents any
mildew and algal growth. People with poor knowledge often over-maintain the
teak, and drastically shorten its life.
About the project
Our society supplies biotechnologically
improved variety of teak plants which are fully grown within 15 years as
compared to local variety which grows in nearly 30 years and are widely
demanded for its durability for various purposes. These teak plants are easily available in the market at the
pocket-friendly prices. This further enables in making our world ‘Go Green’.
Consequently, we are recognized as one of the teak supplying NGO which
encourages farmers to grow it in his farm and gain financial success.
To enquire more about it you may contact us any time.