A couple of classics

T EAK (Tectona Grandis)is native I to Indiu. Burma,Thailand, IndoChina, and Indonesia, particularly in Java. Plantations have been developed within its natural range as well as in many tropical areas of Latin America and Africa.

The heartwood varies from a Yellow brown to a rich brown and frequently may show streaks of dark color. These pigmented zones eventually fade with age.

The wood has a coarse texture, is usually straight'grained, and has a dis' tinctly oily feel. The wood has a mild but somewhat unpleasant odor, which may be accentuated when wetted or heated.

Teak seasons well but rather slowly. It requires more than ordinary care in determining both the initial and final moisture contents, as variations in the drying rates of some boards are occasionally great.

It is very liable to color change, but the color becomes uniform within a reasonable time after kiln drying. Total shrinkage is exceptionally small in teak.

Although generallY not used in the United States where strength is of prime importance, the values for teak are generally on a Piu with those of our native oaks.

Teak is rated as very durable with respect to decay and insect attack and extremely resistant to preservative treatment.

Teak is somewhat variable but generally works with moderate ease with hand and machine tools. Its dulling effect on cutting edges is sometimes considerable, and in general maY be considered as appreciable.

For extensive machining runs, the use of special wear'resistant steel is necessary to ensure economical opera' tion. Silica content is variable and values up to 1.4 Percent have been reported.

It can be finished and glued satisfactorily, although some prefinishing treatments may have to be considered to ensure good bonding of finishes and glues.

Intrinsically, teak is one of the most valuable of all woods, but its use in the U.S. is limited by hrgh cost. Teak is unique in that it does not cause rust or corrosion when in contact with metall hence, it is extremely useful in the shipbuilding industrY.

It is currently used in the construction of expensive boats, furniture, decorative objects, and as veneer for decorative plywood.