Tectona grandis (Teak

TEAK Tectona grandis

Tectona grandis (teak)flowers, foliage, and fruits. Source Wikipedia.

Teak (Tectona grandis) is a tropical hardwood tree species in the family Lamiaceae. It is a large, deciduous tree that occurs in mixed hardwood forests. Tectona grandis has small, fragrant white flowers arranged in dense clusters (panicles) at the end of the branches. These flowers contain both types of reproductive organs (perfect flowers). The large, papery leaves of teak trees are often hairy the lower surface. Teak wood has a leather-like smell when it is freshly milled and is particularly valued for its durability and water resistance. The wood is used for boat building, exterior construction, veneer, furniture, carving, turnings, and other small wood projects. Tectona grandis is native to Southeast Asia as Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Sri Lanka. It is cultivated in many countries. Teak's natural oils make it useful in exposed locations and make the timber termite- and pestresistant. Teak is durable even when not treated with oil or varnish. Teak's high oil content, high tensile strength and tight grain make it particularly suitable where weather resistance is desired. It is used in the manufacture of outdoor furniture and boat decks. Teak is propagated mainly from seeds. Clonal propagation of teak has been successfully done through grafting, rooted stem cuttings and micro propagation.

Source: Lata A (2016) Teak Plantations & Woodlots in PNG Teak Conference, LAO PDR 14-18th Nov 2016 PNG Forest Research Institute Anton Lata PNG Forest Authority Teak Domestication Manager alata@fri.pngfa.gov.pg Presentation.

Source: Lata A (2016) Teak Plantations & Woodlots in PNG Teak Conference, LAO PDR 1418th Nov 2016 PNG Forest Research Institute Anton Lata PNG Forest Authority Teak Domestication Manager alata@fri.pngfa.gov.pg Presentation.

A sample taken from one of the boards produced from 1907 Teak Kokopo.

Photo Credit Des Harries 1971.

During 1957 a fifty-year-old tree was cut from the Kokopo plantation and sawn into planks at the Kerevat mill. The former German Administration had established trials at Kokopo prior to 1914.

At the Brown River, by 1971, the planting program had steadied at about 200 ha per year. But at Kerevat, the onset of local land ownership claims curtailed further planting.

11Initially seed for the Kerevat plantation was collected from old German plantings near Kokopo and on New Ireland. In 1957 this was being organised by Regional Forest Officer, Alex Richardson and Regional staff officer, Ms. Lorraine Taylor. Some years later a seed orchard was established at Kerevat in an area isolated from the main plantations.

Young teak stand. Source DOF.

11 Personal communication Des Harries 2000