Wood Properties Of Selected Plantation Species: Tectona Grandis (Teak), Neolamarckia Cadamba (Kelempayan/Laran), Octomeles Sumatrana (Binuang) and Paraserianthes Falcataria (Batai)

Forest plantations were established in many parts of the Peninsular Malaysia as a result of the anticipated timber shortage in the 1900s. The compensatory plantation project that were launched in 1981, mainly concentrated on the medium quality timber grown on a short rotation basis (Thai 2000). For the project, fast growing hardwoods such as Acacia mangium, Gmelina arborea, Paraserianthes falcataria and Eucalyptus camaldulensis were selected as potentially able to meet the needs of the project (Krishnapilly & Appanah 2002). To expedite the development of forest plantation in the country, the government had established a soft loan programme managed by Malaysia Timber Industrial Board (Zaini Ithnin 2010); eight species promoted under this programme Azadirachta excelsa (sentang), Khaya ivorensis (African mahogany), Tectona grandis (teak), Acacia spp., Hevea brasiliensis (rubberwood), Neolamarckia cadamba (kelempayan/laran), Paraserianthes falcataria (batai) and Octomeles sumatrana (binuang). The properties, durability and uses of four species, i.e. Khaya ivorensis (African mahogany), Azadirachta excelsa (sentang), Endospermum malaccense (sesendok) and Acacia mangium are summarized in the Timber Technology Bulletin (TTB) no 51. For this TTB issue the properties, durability and uses of the remaining four species i.e. Tectona grandis (teak), Neolamarckia cadamba (kelempayan/laran), Paraserianthes falcataria (batai) and Octomeles sumatrana (binuang) will be elaborated.