Identification and utilization of lesser-known commercial timbers in Peninsular Malaysia 5: Balek Angin, Bayur Bukit, Bebatu and Beka

This is the continuation of the earlier articles of the same series. As explained earlier, the purpose of the article is to provide a technical guide to the timber users in general and to those who are involved in the quality control, timber grading, and  technical personnel in the wood processing industry, in particular.

This article looks at four more lesser-known commercial timbers (LKCT) i.e. balek angin (Mallotus spp.), bayur bukit (Schoutenia spp.), bebatu (Chaetocarpus castanocarpus) and beka (Pajanelia longifolia). Balek angin is a light to heavy timber with colour very similar to that of nyatoh. Planed surface can be quite smooth as the timber consists of small to medium-sized vessels. Bayur bukit are small trees except the species of S. accrescens, which can grow to 33 m tall. The timber is hard and heavy with density very close to common commercial timbers like balau and giam. Treatment of this timber is probably very difficult as most of the vessels are blocked with tyloses. Bebatu is a medium to heavy timber and if adequately protected with preservative, the timber can be used for medium to heavy construction. Beka is a very light and soft timber – the use of which may be confined to light duty purposes such as picture frames, moulding, skirting, lamination, boxes and crates.