Teak ( Tectona grandis)is one of the most noted tropical hardwood trees native to Africa and Southern Asia , particularly in country like India , Myanmar ( Burma ) , Thailand , and Indonesia . It is a declamatory , deciduous Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that go on in mixed hardwood forests . Myanmar ’s teak forests report for nearly half of the world ’s naturally occurring teak

Teak wood has a leather - like smell when it is fresh milled and is especially valued for its strength and body of water resistance . The wood is used for boat edifice , exterior expression , veneer , article of furniture , cutting , turnings , and various small project . Its commercial-grade value has made Tectona grandis to be introduced and cultivate in many tropic region around the reality including Africa , Central and South America , and the Caribbean .

A mature teak tree can grow to a meridian of approximately 98 to 131 ft in natural condition . The trunk diam at tit height ( DBH , which is typically valuate at 1.3 meters or about 4.5 metrical unit above the ground ) can be 1 to 1.5 meters . However , in optimum conditions or with selective procreation for timber yield , they might not always achieve the full height due to earlier harvest home .

Teak is semi - deciduous or deciduous in drier climates , lose its leaves during the juiceless time of year to conserve water . Teak leaves are large with an egg-shaped or obovate form . They are harsh to the soupcon , almost sandpaper - like due to tiny hairs , specially on the underside . new leave of absence can be red or purplish , turning to a vibrant green as they age . The underside of the leaf is lighter in people of color . The leaves are paired or sometimes whorled on the base .

The bark is usually grey to brown in color , with the outer bark often appearing passably mottle or with slight variations in shade . Young trees have comparatively smooth bark , but as the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ages , the bark becomes thick , jolty , and profoundly furrowed . The furrows lead longitudinally along the trunk . In some cases , the bark might peel off in long , fibrous flight strip , particularly in older trees .

Teak flowers are small , white , or off - white and are grouped in large , erect , terminal panicles ( a easy ramify clump of efflorescence ) that can be up to 45 cm ( 18 inches ) long . The efflorescence are sunnily fragrant . Flowering usually occurs during the rainy time of year . In its aboriginal regions , this means from June to September . Each flower is bisexual , hold both male and female reproductive parts . They have a five - lobed calyx and corolla , with several stamens .

Teak flowers are cross-pollinate by insect . After flowering , teak Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree produce yield which are drupes , containing seeds . The yield is a small , hard , woody sphere , often wall by an high-flown calyx which aids in wind dispersal .

Teak trees maturate relatively quickly in their first few year if experimental condition are optimum , with increase rates that can be as much as 1.5 to 2 m ( approximately 5 to 6.5 foot ) per twelvemonth in elevation under ideal tropic weather with adept soil , H2O , and sunlight . After the initial speedy emergence phase , the growth rate slow down down . Over time , the average growth in height might reduce , but the tree continue to increase in girth .

Teak trees can live for over 100 age quite commonly . Some trees can live much longer , with lifespan reaching up to 150 years or more in optimal conditions . For commercial timber purposes , Tectona grandis is often considered fledged enough for harvest between 20 to 60 years , with 25 - 50 year being common for good lineament wood .

Factors Affecting Growth and Lifespan

Types of Teak Tree (Tectona grandis)

Tectona grandis – This is the usual teakwood , aboriginal to south and southeastern Asia , mainly India , Indonesia , Myanmar , Thailand , and Malaysia . Here are some preeminence within this species :

Tectona hamiltoniana – This is a lesser - known species of teak , found in Myanmar . It ’s not as widely used or recognized as T. grandis due to special statistical distribution and dissimilar forest property .

Tectona philippinensis – be intimate as Filipino teak , this species is autochthonous to the Philippines . It ’s used locally for quality but is less bang internationally compare to T. grandis .

cultivar and Variants : Within Tectona grandis , there might be cultivar developed for faster growth , better wood calibre , or disease resistance , peculiarly in plantations . However , these are not always assort as dissimilar “ types ” in botanic full term but rather as ameliorate selections or clones for forestry .

Teak (Tectona grandis) Wood

Physical holding

Workability

US

Cultivation of Teak Tree (Tectona grandis)

situation Selection

Planting

Care and Maintenance :

Pest and Disease Management