The five species of meranti

E IVE TYPES of meranti, four f from the soecies Shorea and one from Shorea rugosa, all classified as light hardwood, are imported from Peninsular Malaysia as established species for plywood manufacture.

Meranti Bakau

Meranti bakau, produced by a single species Shorea rugosa, is the commonest tree in freshwater swamps. Light-colored, the sapwood is distinct from the heartwood which is a'light red-brown. When planed, it is not Iustrous, but has a stripe figure on the radial surface.

The texture is coarse and even with grain interlocked. There are no growth rings and the vessels are moderately large and usually few in number. Tyloses (growth from one cell into another cell) are usually few and there are no deposits. Wood parenchyma (tissue) is both paratracheal and apotracheal. Rays are medium-sized and can be seen on the cross section.

Although similar in structure to light red and dark red meranti, the meranti bakau does not mix well with them because its color and density are not compatible.

More susceptible to seasoning degrade than other merantis, this wood requires approximately 2 months for t/2" boards to air dry and 3% months for 7t/2".

The graveyard test for resistance to termite and fungus rates meranti bakau as moderately durable. Tests also show that it is not amenable to preservative treatment in the open tank, but absorbs preservatives readily under pressure.

In working qualities. it is easy to resaw, cross-cut, plane, bore and turn. Because it is free of resin it does not blunt saw-teeth. Finished surfaces are moderately smooth in planing, smooth in boring, and slightly rough in turning. Resistance to splitting when nailed is good.

Dark Red Meranti

Dark red meranti, mainly from Shorea curtisii and S. pauciflora, is found throughout Peninsular Malaysia. The trees grow on low hills or ridges with well-drained soil.

It is much like meranti bakau in general characteristics except for the heartwood which is red-brown weathering to dark red. The planed surface is fairly lustrous with a stripe figure on the radial surface and narrow grey-colored streaks on longitudinal surfaces caused by concentric layers of resin canals.

Story at a Glance

Five different merantis ... uniquely colored hardwoods. varying capabilities. . all produced in Malaysia. widely used for plywood and Yeneer.

The timber seasons in approximately the same time as meranti bakau, but is not susceptible to degrading. Thin boards require piling stickers to prevent cupping and warping. The stack may need weighting.

Classed as not durable to moderately durable in graveyard tests, it is immune to powder-post beetle attack. Creosote-type preserving by standard open tank treatment is considered difficult.

Logs are easy to convert. It is considered easy to machine with smooth surfaces resulting.

Light Red Meranti

Light red meranti, the product of several species of Shorea including acuminata, leprosula and parvifolia. is found in well-drained forest areas, often up to 1,600 feet above sea level.

Similar to dark red meranti, it is lighter colored with lower density and fewer resin canals on the longitudinal surfaces. The heartwood is light-red or pink brown. When planed it has attractive speckles on the radial surface. The grain is wavy.

Properly seasoned, it does not degrade and holds its shape well although thin stock requires adequate stickering. Drying time is comparable to that for other merantis.

Although the heartwood is resistant to fungal attack, the timber is not resistant to termites. Most species are in the not durable group, but immune to powder-post beetles. The sapwood takes preservative readily, but the heartwood does not, resulting in a difficult to treat classification.

Working qualities are good if sharp knives are used and it takes a good polish. Selected veneer pieces are ornate and decorative. It is easy to peel and has good ability to glue.

White Meranti

White meranti comes from S/zorea bracteolata and hypochra which are found in low lands.

When freshly cut, the sapwood is indistinct. but changes color and becomes defined with drying. Heartwood which is almost pure white when cut changes to yellow-brown or buff and weathers to golden brown or brown. The planed surface is lustrous with a subtle ribbon figure. General characteristics are similar to other merantis except for the vertical intercellular canals which are the concentric type filled with white resin.

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