Go Green, Go Sustainable
LIGHT HARDWOOD
BINTANGOR (Calophyllum spp.)
General Description : Sapwood is well defined. The heartwood is pink-brown, red-brown or orange-red in colour which darkens slightly on exposure. The surface is lustrous and streaked with orange coloured lines. The grain is interlocked often giving rise to stripe figure. The texture is coarse and uneven.

Principal Uses
: Light construction, ceiling, flooring, panelling, joinery, furniture, masts, spars, hem and planking of boats, fancy boxes, trays, rotary-cut veneer, plywood.

Other Equivalents : Burma (Ponnyet, Tharapi, Thitpyak), India (Poon, Lachini), Indochina (Cong, Mu-u), Indonesia (Bintangor), Sabah (Bintangor, Penang), Sarawak (Bintangor), Sri Lanka (Gunikina, Walukina), Thailand (Ka thang han, Ka thang lan, Tang hon)

Kiln Drying Schedule : A
Weight : 689 kg/m3 Strength Group : C
DURIAN (Bombacaceae spp.)
General Description : Sapwood is not defined in Coelostegia but well defined in the others. The heartwood is pink brown or red-brown or orange-brown, weathering on exposure to a brown colour. The surface is dull and without any figure. The grain is interlocked and texture very coarse and uneven.

Principal Uses : Light construction, door and window frames, ceiling, flooring, planking, plywood, sliced veneers, coffins and furniture parts. The timber of Coelostegia griffithii is a local favourite for clog manufacture.

Veneering : The timber is potentially acceptable for plywood manufacture.

Other Equivalents : Indonesia (Durian), Sabah (Durian), Sarawak (Durian)
Weight : 689 kg/m3. Strength Group : C
GERONGGANG (Cratoxylon arborescens)
General Description : The sapwood is moderately well defined. Heartwood is a bright brick-red in colour when freshly cut, darkening slightly on exposure. Surface is very lustrous. The grain is interlocked or wavy and texture moderately coarse and even.

Principal Uses
: Decorative work, joinery, furniture, show cases, counter tops, laboratory bench tops, panelling, internal fittings, flush doors, fancy boxes, trays, clogs, toys, black boards, drawing boards and plywood. It is in great demand in Singapore for the manufacture of boxes for packing eggs and tinned provisions but judicial use of this timber is for decorative work.

Veneering
: It can be peeled satisfactorily but there is a tendency to tear in handling the veneers.

Other Equivalents
: Indonesia (Geronggang), Sabah (Serugan, Geronggang), Sarawak (Geronggang)

Kiln Drying Schedule : E
Weight : 545 kg/m3  Strength Group : D
GERUTU (Parashorea lucida)
General Description : Sapwood well defined, light yellow brown in colour often discoloured due to sap-stain. Heartwood light-brown with a pinkish tinge darkening with seasoning to a darker pink-brown shade. Planed surface has a medium lustre. Texture rather coarse but even. Grain interlocked giving rise to broad stripe figure. Vertical resin canals with whitish contents is characteristics and visible on all surfaces. The wood is not resinous.

Principal Uses : Panelling, wall boarding and other general uses.

Veneering : Has not been tried.

Other Equivalents : Burma (Thingadu), India (Tavoy wood), Indochina (Cho-chi), Indonesia (Meranti putih), Philippines (Ligh red Philippines mahogany), Thailand (Khai-khieo)

Kiln Drying Schedule : E 
Weight : 689 kg/m3  Strength Group : C
JELUTONG (Dyera costulata)
General Description : Sapwood not differentiated by colour from heartwood which is white, weathering to a light straw colour. Surface is lustrous and without any figure. The grain is almost straight and texture moderately fine and even.

Principal Uses
: Pattern making, carving, fret work, picture frames, battery separators, drawing boards, blackboards, toys, packing cases, ladies shoe soles, coffins.

Veneering
: Peels easily, but not considered suitable for the manufacture of general purpose plywood.

Other Equivalents
: Indonesia (Jelutong), Sabah (Jelutong), Sarawak (Jelutong), Thailand (Jelutong)

Kiln Drying Schedule
: H 

 
Weight : 465kg/m3 Strength Group : D
KEDONDONG (Burseraceae spp.)
General Description : The sapwood is lighter coloured but not sharply defined. Heartwood yellow-brown, pink-brown or red-brown in colour, darkening only very slightly with exposure. Surface is mostly glossy and without any figure. The grain is interlocked and texture moderately fine and even.

Principal Uses
: Door and window frames, flooring, ceilings, tiling, battens, planking, boxes, crates, coffins, plywood, furniture parts and general carpentry works.

Other Equivalents : West Africa (Aiele, Okoume, Ozigo, Gaboon), India (Dhup), Indochina (Ca-ca, Cham), Indonesia (Merdongdong), Philippines (Kamingi, Pagsahingin), Sabah (Kedondong, Maitus), Sarawak (Upi), Sri Lanka (Kekuna), Thailand (Mafan, Ma koem)

Kiln Drying Schedule
: J
Weight : 577 kg/m3 Strength Group : C
Kembang Semangkok (KSK) (Scaphium spp)
General Description : Sapwood is lighter in shade merging gradually into the heartwood, which is yellow-brown, light buff or light brown. Grain is straight or shallowly interlocked.Texture is slightly coarse and uneven due to the broad rays and wide layers of parenchyma. Growth rings are distinct, demarcated by layers of terminal parenchyma. Vessels are medium-sized to moderately large, few to fairly few, solitary and in radial groups of 2 to 3, with a tendency to tangential arrangement. Vessels are open. Wood parenchyma is abundant, visible to the naked eye, with paratracheal parenchyma appearing as borders around the vessels, sometimes aliform and locally confluent; apotracheal parenchyma as fairly broad bands which simulate growth rings. Rays are of two distinct sizes; the larger rays being very broad and conspicuous, the finer rays are storeyed. The ray pattern on the tangential longitudinal surface is characteristic and reminiscent of mosquito-netting.

Principle Uses
: Extensively used in the manufacture of decorative plywood and as interior finishing timber; also suitable for furniture, panelling, partitioning and has been successfully used in the manufacture of match splints.
Weight : 515-775kgs/M3 Strength Group : C
KUNGKUR (Pithecellobium spp.)
General Description : Sapwood is well defined. The heartwood is red-brown in colour when fresh, weathering to a dark brown. The surface is moderately lustrous and without figure. The grain is wavy or interlocked and the texture coarse and even. Trees producing this wood are rather scarce and sizeable volume of Kungkur is difficult to get.

Principal Uses
: Decorative work, superior joinery, furniture, musical instruments, panelling, fancy boxes, carving, rotary-cut veneers.

Other Equivalents
: Sabah (Petai)
Weight : 673 kg/m3 Strength Group : C
MACHANG (Mangifera spp.)
General Description : Sapwood is not well defined. The heartwood is light pink-brown or grey-brown. Occasionally, it has a small black or chocolate-coloured corewood of very distinctive appearance. Surface is lustrous, often with zig-zag markings on flat sawn surface. The grain is interlocked and texture moderately coarse and even.

Principal Uses : Light construction, planking, ceiling, flooring, packing boxes, crates, coffins, plywood and general carpentry work. Occasionally, the wood is attractively streaked or figured and then makes attractive panelling and furniture.

Other Equivalents : Burma (Thayet, Sinnin-thayet), India (Mango wood), Indochina (Xoai-hoi), Indonesia (Mangga), Pakistan (Mango), Philippines (Malapaho, Pahutan), Sabah (Asam belune), Sarawak (Machang), Sri Lanka (Etamba), Thailand (Ma-muang-pa)
Weight : 561 kg/m3 Strength Group : C
MEDANG (Koompassia excelsa)  
General Description : Sapwood is not always well defined. The heartwood of some species is yellow-brown or red-brown but most of the wood is olive-brown or olive-green, darkening considerably on exposure. Surface is dull and mostly without figure. The grain is interlocked and the texture moderately fine and even. Wood of some species has an aromatic scent like that of camphorwood.

Principal Uses :
Decorative work, internal fittings, switchboards, panels, superior joinery, piano cases, furniture, bowls, platters, trays, T-squares, set squares, tripods, fancy boxes, fancy handles, police batons, pattern-making, veneers, plywood. It is an excellent carving timber and a favourite in the Philippines for sculptural work. The heavier forms of Medang (produced by Alseodaphne, Actinodaphne and Dehaasia species) are very popular with the local people for house construction (posts, beams, joists, panelling) and sea water piling.

Other Equivalents :
Burma (Ondon), Indochina (Boi-loi), Indonesia (Medang), Philippines (Bati-kuling, Margapali), Sabah (Lisang, Lamaue-amau, Medang), Sarawak (Madang), Sri Lanka (Ranai), Thailand (Kra-thang, Thang, Sirai)
Weight : 609 kg/m3  Strength Group : C
MELANTAI (Shorea macroptera) 
General Description : Sapwood is moderately distinct almost a bright yellow in a fresh condition, darkening to a grey-pink brown. Heartwood yellow-brown when freshly sawn resembling a yellow Meranti more than a "red Meranti" but darkening in the course of seasoning to a fawn or pinkish buff with a golden lustre. Planed surfaces very lustrous. Texture moderately coarse but even. Grain interlocked giving rise to prominent stripes figure. Vertical resin canals with whitish contents as in Light Red Meranti but they are less conspicuous on all surfaces. The wood is not resinous.

Principal Uses : Cabinet and decorative work, superior joinery, furniture, show cases, panelling, fancy boxes, sliced veneers, rotary-cut veneer and plywood.

Veneering : An established species for plywood manufacture.

Kiln Drying Schedule : H
Weight : 530 kg/m3 Strength Group : C
MELUNAK (Pentace spp.) 
General Description : Sapwood moderately well defined. The heartwood is pink-brown or red-brown, weathering to a dark red-brown. The surface is without lustre and has distinct ripple marks. The grain is interlocked giving rise to attractive stripe figure and the texture is moderately fine and even.

Principal Uses : Decorative work, superior joinery, furniture, panelling, ceilings, flooring, police batons, etc. and diving boards. In Burma, similar timber is sold under the name of "Burma Mahogany" or "Thika" and is a very popular wood for high class furniture, mathematical instruments such as T-squares, set squares, straight edges, instruments boxes, walking sticks etc, and in shipbuilding for gunwales, inwales, stair stringers, etc.

Veneering : Easy to peel and handle. The veneer sheets are flowery and attractive and is considered a potentially acceptable species for plywood manufacture.

Other Equivalents : Burma (Thika, Thitsho), Sabah (Takalis), Sarawak (Baru baran), Thailand (Sisiat)
Weight : 657 kg/m3 Strength Group : C
MEMPISANG (Annonaceae spp.)
General Description : Sapwood is not well defined. The heartwood is light yellow in colour, weathering to a straw-brown. Surface is not lustrous but radial surface has attractive silver figure. The grain is almost straight and texture is rather coarse and uneven. The rays are generally broad and conspicuous.

Principal Uses : Sliced veneers, matchboxes and splints, bentwood work, fancy boxes, toys, ceiling, flooring, general light construction, packing cases, crates and police batons. Selected wood probably suitable for parquet flooring, tool handles, walking sticks, police batons, tripods, T-squares, set squares, rulers, sports goods, spools, bobbins, spars, oars, helms etc - a good substitute for Maple wood. (Acer sp)

Other Equivalents : Burma (Taw, Tawasgasein), India (Chooi, Andaman, Bow wood), Indochina (Don, Ngan chay), Philippines (Bolon, Dalinas, Yellow lanutan), Sabah (Jankang, Karai, Pisang-pisang), Sarawak (Ako, Karai, Kananga, Kepayang baji, Kelili-jongkong), Sri Lanka (Netawa, Wanasapu)
Weight : 673 kg/m3 Strength Group : C
MERANTI, DARK RED (Shorea spp.)
General Description : Sapwood is well defined. The heartwood is dark red-brown in colour, weathering to a darker shade. Surface is not lustrous. The grain is interlocked giving rise to stripe figure. The texture is coarse and even. Longitudinal surfaces of Dark Red Meranti, particularly S. pauciflora, often distinctively marked with narrow, white coloured streaks. These streaks are in fact the exposed longitudinal sections of the resin canals - a normal feature of the wood - and are not considered a defect because they do not affect the strength or utility of the wood. The wood is not resinous.

Principal Uses
: Joinery, furniture, shop and office fittings, counter tops, panelling, flooring, posts, beams, joists, rafters, door and window frames, stair treads, boat framing, planking, decking, railing, coach work, motor lorry and truck body work, plywood etc.

Veneering : The timber is an established species for plywood manufacture.

Other Equivalents : Indonesia (Meranti merah tua), Philippines (Almon, Dark-red lauan, Mayapis, Tangile), Sabah (Dard red seraya), Sarawak (Dark red seraya), Thailand (Saya)

Kiln Drying Schedule : F
Weight : 705 kg/m3   Strength Group : C
MERANTI, LIGHT RED (Shorea spp.)
General Description : Sapwood is well defined. The heartwood is pale pink, light red-brown or red-brown. The surface is fairly lustrous. The grain is interlocked and gives rise to stripe figure and texture is coarse and even. Resin canals with white contents occur characteristically in concentric lines on end surface but the wood is not resinous.

Principal Uses
: Decorative work, superior joinery, shop and office fittings, show cases, counter tops, furniture, panelling, ceiling, flooring, shelving, door and window frames, boat planking, decking, railing and cabin fittings, coach work, wooden tubs, fancy boxes, coffins, sliced veneers, rotary-cut veneer and plywood. In Singapore, it is very popular for the manufacture of flush doors.

Veneering
: Peels easily. It is an established species for plywood.

Other Equivalents
: Indonesia (Meranti merah), Sabah (Light red seraya), Sarawak (Light red seraya)

Kiln Drying Schedule : F
Weight : 545 kg/m3 Strength Group : C
MERANTI, WHITE (Shorea spp.)
General Description : Sapwood is moderately well defined. The heartwood is almost white when freshly cut, weathering to a yellow-brown. Surface is lustrous. The grain is wavy or interlocked producing faint stripe figure and texture is moderately coarse and even. Resin canals with white contents occur characteristically in concentric lines on end surface but the wood is not resinous.

Principal Uses : Posts, beams, joists, rafters, door and window frames, stair stringers, treads and railing, planking, flooring, ceiling, boat framing, decking, hewn coffins, tubs, vats, wine casks, butter churns, motor lorry body work, police batons, plywood etc.

Veneering : It is an established species for plywood manufacture.

Other Equivalents : Burma (Kyilan), Cambodia (Lumbor), India (Talurai, Makai), Indochina (Sen mu, Lumbor), Indonesia (Meranti putih), Sabah (Melapi), Sarawak (Melapi, White meranti), Sri Lanka (Kumala dun), Thailand (Pa-nong, Sukrom, Kiam, Ka-nom, Chan, Kiam ka nong), Vietnam (Bo-bo)

Kiln Drying Schedule : J
Weight : 673 kg/m3 Strength Group : C
MERANTI, YELLOW (Shorea spp.)
General Description : Sapwood is well defined. The heartwood is light yellow-brown when fresh, weathering to a slightly darker shade of yellow-brown. Surface is not lustrous. The grain is interlocked giving rise to faint stripe figure. The texture is moderately coarse and even. Resin canals with white contents occur characteristically in concentric lines on end surface, but the wood is not resinous.

Principal Uses
: Ship decking, planking, deck railing, ceiling, flooring, internal fittings, shop and office fittings, panelling, joinery, furniture, tubs, plywood etc.

Veneering
: Veneers can be peeled successfully. It is an established species for plywood manufacture.

Other Equivalents
: Indonesia (Meranti kuning), Philippines (Yellow lauan), Sabah (Seraya kuning), Sarawak (Yellow meranti)

Kiln Drying Schedule : J
Weight : 657kg/m3  Strength Group : C
MERAWAN (Hopea spp.)
General Description : Sapwood is moderately well defined. The heartwood is light yellow-brown in colour when fresh, darkening to a deeper brown with exposure. Surface is moderately lustrous. The grain is interlocked often giving rise to stripe figure and the texture is moderately fine and even. Resin canals with white contents occur characteristically in concentric lines on end surface, but the wood is not resinous.

Principal Uses : Rafters, joists, door and window frames, stair treads, panelling, flooring, ceiling, joinery, furniture, framing, planking, decking and railing of boats, lorry body work, beer vats, wine casks, barrels, tubs, butter churns, police batons, rotary veneer, plywood, etc. Some of the heavier timbers of this group are suitable for house posts, beams and other heavy constructional uses.

Veneering : The use of this timber for plywood manufacture is limited.

Other Equivalents : Burma (Thingan), India (Thingan), Indochina (Sao), Indonesia (Merawan), Philippines (Manggachapui), Sabah (Gagil, Selangan), Sarawak (Gagil, Luis, Selangan), Thailand (Takian, Takian-thong)

Kiln Drying Schedule : H
Weight : 689 kg/m3 Strength Group : B
Copyright © 2011 Simpoh Inc , All Right Reserved.