19 Jan Teak: The Wood with a Valuable Heart
By Natalie Warner
Teak, also known as teca in Spanish, is a popular type of wood in Panama. In fact, you can even get residency in Panama because of teak*. It is considered to be one of the world’s most valuable types of timber. What is teak and what makes this wood so expensive?
The Tree
Teak is type of hardwood tree that grows in tropical regions. These regions tend to have distinct wet and dry seasons. The tree is believed to have originated in Burma (Myanmar) and is native to south and southeast Asia. It has been cultivated in some countries in Africa and the Caribbean, including Panama.
Teak Leaves
The tree’s trunk is large and upright with grey or greyish-brown bark. Its leaves have hairy undersides and can grow between 15-45 cm (6-18 in) in length. Teak is a deciduous tree, meaning that it loses all of its leaves during dry season. It can grow to around 40 m (140 ft) tall and can live for up to 100 years. Teak produces a fruit called a drupe. Animals can be seen eating it; however, it is not fit for human consumption.
Cultivation
The tree is considered to be relatively fast growing and is ready for harvest within 20-25 years. Propagation typically begins using the woody seeds and is up to a 6 week process. Seeds alternate between soaking and sun-drying for 2 weeks in order for it to be ready for germination. Germination itself can take up to 30 days after the soaking and sun-drying process.
Myanmar produces nearly one third of the world’s teak supply. Indonesia, India, and Thailand are also large exporters of teak. At one point, teak wood was in such high demand that it was a large cause of deforestation in Myanmar and Thailand, especially to old growth forests. In fact, teak forests have nearly disappeared as a result of over logging. Teak tree plantations are now common, especially in these countries, in order to keep up with demand.
Fun fact: elephants are used to transport logs from forests to
roads or rivers in south and southeast Asia
The Wood
There are generally two forms of wood with any tree: the young soft sapwood and older hard heartwood. Trees grow outward from the center. Heart teak has higher concentration levels of rubber and oil. As a result, heart teak is more valuable than sapwood.
Teak is known for its durability and high tensile strength. It is known for being resistant to rot, termites, and many insects. Unlike heart teak, sapwood is not as resistant to pests and rot as it is softer and has a lower concentration of oils and rubber.
The wood, even heart teak, is still vulnerable to marine borers. Another common pest for teak trees is the Hyblaea puera. This moth is known as the “teak defoliator” and consumes the leaves of the tree. It is native to southern and southeast Asia but has recently been discovered in Africa and Central America.
Hyblaea puera caterpillar and moth
Yes, the wood is really that durable…
Its properties make it a popular choice for building objects that are around water including bridges, boats, and decks. When dried properly, teak naturally becomes weather resistant even when untreated. Because of this, treating the wood is optional. Untreated wood turns from a yellow brown color to a silver color over time.
Teak deck
Teak has been shown to stand the test of time. Wood beams used in Indian temples, estimated to be 1,000 years old, were discovered in near perfect condition. Another story states a boat dating 2,000 years was discovered, also in near perfect condition. If left inside, untreated teak is said to never go bad.
Other Purposes
The drupe may not be edible, but parts of the tree are still consumed. Leaves are used to make an Indian dish called pelakai gatti, which is a jackfruit dumpling. It is also used in the Indonesian dish gudeg, another jackfruit dish.
The tree is used medicinally. Teak acts as an astringent and has diuretic properties. It serves to limit and reduce swelling. The bark is used to help reduce fever.
Teak is known for its durability against weathering but it also has other uses. Although expensive, it is a wood that can withstand Panama’s tropical climate.
*Laws, procedures, and regulations change. Consult your immigration lawyer for more information.