Teak techniques - the natural history of Teak

Teak (Tectona grandis) grows in most areas between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn and can reach up to 150 feet tall. The trees have large, leathery, reddish green leaves that tend to be shed in the drier months of the year. Teak was originally native to South East Asia and its natural distribution goes from the Indian subcontinent through Myanmar and Thailand to Laos. Research still hasn't discovered if the famous teak stands in Indonesia are native or the result of early cultivation by the Hindu settlers, quite possibly as early as the seventh century.

Teak's sap has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties that make it resistant to parasites and disease. Teak also contains rubber and silica, which repel water and give the harvested wood pliability, making it better able to withstand high pressure without cracking. This is combined with the fact that it is an extremely heavy wood, with dense fibres that make it relatively easy to cut and graft. The properties combine to make it one of the finest woods from which to construct outdoor furniture.

Teak seedling photograph by dsin, used under a creative commons attribution licence.

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