Teak---
(Tectona grandis) is considered by mariners to be the
world's most valuable and versatile hardwood. The rare
beauty of teak, its rich golden brown luster, decorative
grain and unique properties or strength, stability,
resistance to wear have made it the most demanded wood
for marine use. Teak is known as the King of Woods.
There are many uses for teak and very few substitutes.
Teak is a pillar of the shipbuilding industry. Teak has
been used on aircraft carriers, tall mast graceful
clipper ships, exquisite cruise ships, refined yachts,
dinghies as well as rugged workboats. For centuries teak
decks have been the paragon of excellence but few people
know all of the remarkable benefits and applications of
this unique wood. On the exterior teak decks are
specified because teak is the only wood that can
withstand the harsh dramatic changes of the sea water
and broiling sun and does not split, crack or warp. The
decks of the Titanic were covered with teak. The wood is
as good today as the fateful night, 15 April 1912, when
she sank. There have been some ventures in
recovering sunken logs from the Rangoon River in Burma,
some that had been under water for more than 150 years.
The heartwood was just as durable and golden brown as
the day the tree was felled.
In
boat interiors where there is high humidity teak is
ideal for doors, hatches and cabinetry because it does
not warp, twist or expand which could make opening doors
and drawers difficult or impossible. Most woods when in
contact with water will readily crack. Teak, because of
natural oils has a very low coefficient of expansion and
contraction so it remains stable even under months in
the hot sun or submersed in ocean waters. Teak has high
silica content. Silica is sand which gives traction to
those walking on a wet teak deck. Most of us have
stepped on a wet oak or pine plank and had our feet go
flying out from underneath us but this will not happen
with teak. In a marine environment metals corrode easily
turning woods in contact with the metal black with
oxidation but not so with teak by virtue of its natural
oils. Teak needs no paint or varnish and over time will
develop a silver gray patina. Severe winter snow storms,
monsoon rains, tropical heat and even the scorching dry
conditions of deserts do not diminish the strength of
teak. Teak has natural resins called technoquinines that
naturally repel termites, marine borers and resist rot.
Teak is a relatively easy wood to machine or work with
hand tools. Craftsmen and sculptors revere its
attributes. There is no other wood or man-made material
that has the versatility of teak.
Teak
is a precious resource. Only four countries in the
world, Burma, Thailand, Laos and India have natural teak
forests. Thailand once had 100 million rai (3.25 rai=
one acre) of natural teak forests but these have been
dramatically reduced to a few thousand rai. Felling of
teak trees in Thailand has been banned since 1982. Teak
forests are tightly controlled because of their enormous
monetary and ecological importance to the nation. Teak
is probably the best-protected commercial species in the
world. Elephants are still being used extensively to
extract teak because of their low impact upon the
environment. Elephants do far less damage to forests
than heavy caterpillars and other logging equipment.
Burma (renamed Myanmar) exports 80% of the world's
natural teak supply. Teak is not a tropical rainforest
species. It grows sparsely in mixed deciduous forests.
In its natural environment there are only 1 to 5 trees
per acre in the best growing areas but Burma established
plantations in 1856 with the assistance of some very
farsighted foresters who saw the need to treasure these
renewable sustained yield resources for future
generations. Teak seeds from Burma have been to start
plantations in Africa and Central America. Many
companies are anxious to invest in teak plantations
because potential returns are enormous.
Teak
from other regions of the world cannot match true Burma
teak. Varying climatic conditions, topography, soil
type, drainage, elevation, rainfall, length of dry
season, lack of proper silviculture techniques and
professional management result in vast differences in
quality, hardness, texture and coloration vastly
inferior to Burma grown teak. While plantation wood is
suitable for parquet flooring, garden furniture and
other small mouldings, it is generally not unsuitable
for marine use.
Due
to the high price of teak many yacht builders have tried
to replace teak with oak, ash, maple, mahogany or
cherry. Since teak is such an expensive commodity others
have tried to promote substitutes species such as Iroko
or Afromosia as "African Teak". These woods
may be suitable for various applications but only teak, Tectona
grandis is indispensable in any and all applications
on a boat. Many of these boat builder have returned to
teak to avert the potential hazard of customer
complaints and simply for the shear beauty and
dependability of teak. As long as ships ply the sea
genuine Burma teak will be an integral part of
shipbuilding.
Burma
Teak is truly a gift of nature for the marine industry.
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