Teak

Description
Scientific Names: Tectona grandis
Common Names: Teak, Jati, Sagon, Sagwan, Tevaram

Plant Type: Large-size.

Height: 30-40 m.

Native Habitat: Tectona grandis is found in a variety of habitats and climatic conditions from arid areas with only 500 mm of rain per year to very moist forests with up to 5,000 mm of rain per year. Typically, though, the annual rainfall in areas where Teak grows averages 1,250-1,650 mm with a 3-5 month dry season.
Native Range: Scattered Populations Mostly in the Southeast Asia, Mainly India, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, and Burma but because the value of the wood, Teak is now also developed outside its natural distribution area. In tropical Africa, Central America, Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific and Taiwan.
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. 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.
Related Species: Tectona hamiltoniana (Dahat Teak), Tectona philippinensis (Philippine Teak)

Tectona grandis is a kind of high-quality timber-producing trees. A large tree, straight-trunked, it can grow to 30-40 m high Large-leaved, which is shed in the dry season. Tectona grandis is known world by the name of Teak (English). 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. 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.

Uses
Teak is used extensively in Indonesia 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 wood contains a kind of oil and sediment in the cells of the wood, so it can be used in the open durable even without varnish (especially when worn under the auspices of the roof). Inside the house, but used as raw materials furniture or teak furniture, Teak is also used in building structures. Traditional Javanese houses, such as home Joglo Central Java, using Teak in almost all its parts: the pillars, roof frame, to the carved walls. 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.