Common name: Teak
Other common names: Bankok teak, Indian oak
Description
A native of India and south-east Asia, this tree yields a well-known and much valued timber, particularly for making high value furniture.
Flowering is rainfall induced, usually starting about four to six weeks into the rainy season and following the end main dry season of the year.
Use
The heartwood is moderately dense, averaging around 550 to 620 kilograms per cubic meter which puts it at the soft end of the hardwood class.
Climate
Grows naturally and reaches its best development as a timber tree in moderately humid tropical climates, generally in areas with annual lows of 19 to 25 °C, annual highs of 27 to 34 °C, annual rainfall of 1200 to 3000 mm and a dry season of 3 to 6 months.
Growing
New plants are usually grown from seed.
Problem features
Dust from working the wood is reported to causes contact dermatitis in carpenters and other wood-workers.