The Tree of Life
in Teakwood
Page Two

The tree of life

  Bears and more.
bears

Birds were everywhere
birds

Intricate branches and vines. How did it ever ship safely from Taiwan?
branches

Rabbits and snakes (look closely for all the details)
rabbits and snakes

History and Facts about Teakwood

TEAK is the common name for Tectona grandis of the family Verbenaceae, native of India, Myanmar (Burma), and Thailand. The teak used in Indonesia was plantation grown by the Dutch since 1816 and until today is controlled by the Indonesian government.

The Tectona Grandis tree matures to a height of 46-m (150 ft) with a straight trunk. Leaves are similar to that of tobacco leaves and grow to approximately 30cm (1ft) in length by approximately 30cm (1ft) in width. The tree also produces many small white flowers.

The bark of the tree is grey and the trunk has a white sapwood. The "heartwood" or timber of the teak tree is a yellow brown color.

Teakwood is well know since early/ancient times as a valuable resource due to its long life reliability and weather resistance as well as its workable qualities. Pieces of teak have been found (in India) over 200 years old and still intact.

Teakwood is probably most well known for its use in boat building, wharves and bridges as well as fine furniture, venetian blinds and veneers.

Since ancient times teak has been one of the world's most valuable timber trees. The wood is easily worked and well noted for its resistance to decay. Intact pieces more than 200 years old have been found in India. Teakwood is used for ships, wharves, and bridges as well as for fine furniture, venetian blinds, and veneer. Teak also refers specifically to the wood and its characteristic color, which ranges from olive to yellowish gray or moderate brown.

Teak furniture dates back prior to the 19th century used mainly by the Chinese for export to Europe. The Victorian era also incorporated the use of teakwood during the mechanical era of the 1840’s with the invention of presses, veneer cutters etc which enabled them to create decorative elegant high class furniture. Another factor here is transportation (shipping) was also becoming more advanced.

Bibliography: Bramwell, Martyn, and Palmer, Jeanette, eds., International Book of Woods (1976); Corkhill, Thomas, The Complete Dictionary of Wood (1980); Schery, Robert W., Plants Schuster's Guide to Trees (1978).Edwards, C., Victorian Furniture: Technology and Design (1993); Payne, C., ed., Sotheby's Concise Encyclopedia of Furniture (1989)

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