Plantation Teak
Encyclopedia
Plantation Teak is a tropical hardwood tree from the genus Tectona
, endemic to Southeast Asia. The primary distinction between conventional teak and plantation teak is that the latter is exclusively planted for the purpose of forestry management, for either commercial or ecological purposes. Although the genus Tectona is native to the tropical regions of Southeast Asia, primarily Myanmar
, Bangladesh
and Thailand
, the cultivation of plantation teak is economically viable in other tropical regions such as Central America.
and Mexico
.
Given the proper conditions, teak can be grown without artificial fertilizers or irrigation; this is thought to give plantation teak the look and durability of old-growth teak from Southeast Asia
. Plantation teak is considered a renewable resource
, as it is harvested and managed to produce a sustainable supply.
Plantation timber also offers the benefit of reduced shipping costs and emissions. Since teak can be grown throughout the world's dry-tropical zones, plantations offer a geographically closer source of teak. The Forest Stewardship Council
has granted certification to a number of sustainable teak plantations in Latin America.
, though teak coming from that nation is typically still referred to as "Burmese teak."
Along with the sale of precious stones, the Burmese government has traditionally relied on the teak trade to finance its operations. Because of this, the direct importation of teak originating from Myanmar (formerly Burma) is currently prohibited, due to sanctions imposed by the US Treasury Department. However, Burmese teak is currently sold in the US marketplace, often imported indirectly through Myanmar's neighbors like China
or India
, which bypass restrictions by milling and exporting the timber themselves.
Ironically, there's a long-standing belief that teak grown in the Burmese jungle has a longer lifespan and greater durability than timber grown in neighboring countries like India or Thailand. Therefore, the demand for Burmese conflict timber is often much higher than teak harvested under more ethical conditions.
However, to match the wood grain of Burmese teak, some forestry experts recommend a process called slow growth cultivation. By finding regions that closely mimic the precipitation and soil characteristics of Burma, plantation teak may be cultivated without irrigation or fertilizers. Thus, the growth rate is similar to that of Burmese teak, and teak plantations can produce timber that's nearly identical to Asian teak.
Tectona
Tectona is a genus of tropical hardwood trees in the mint family, Lamiaceae. The three species, often collectively called teak, are native to south and southeast Asia, mainly India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Burma, Indonesia and Thailand, and are commonly found as a component of monsoon forest vegetation...
, endemic to Southeast Asia. The primary distinction between conventional teak and plantation teak is that the latter is exclusively planted for the purpose of forestry management, for either commercial or ecological purposes. Although the genus Tectona is native to the tropical regions of Southeast Asia, primarily Myanmar
Myanmar
Burma , officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar , is a country in Southeast Asia. Burma is bordered by China on the northeast, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, India on the northwest, the Bay of Bengal to the southwest, and the Andaman Sea on the south....
, Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
and Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
, the cultivation of plantation teak is economically viable in other tropical regions such as Central America.
Renewable cultivation and harvesting
Due to its durability, natural water-resistant qualities and striking wood grain, teak has historically been used in the manufacture of outdoor furniture, boat decks, and other carpentry goods which are to be exposed to the elements for long periods of time. Due to the high demand for this timber and the reasonably short growth period of teak trees, sustainable teak production is currently underway on plantations across many dry tropical climates across Costa RicaCosta Rica
Costa Rica , officially the Republic of Costa Rica is a multilingual, multiethnic and multicultural country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east....
and Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
.
Given the proper conditions, teak can be grown without artificial fertilizers or irrigation; this is thought to give plantation teak the look and durability of old-growth teak from Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
. Plantation teak is considered a renewable resource
Renewable resource
A renewable resource is a natural resource with the ability of being replaced through biological or other natural processes and replenished with the passage of time...
, as it is harvested and managed to produce a sustainable supply.
Plantation timber also offers the benefit of reduced shipping costs and emissions. Since teak can be grown throughout the world's dry-tropical zones, plantations offer a geographically closer source of teak. The Forest Stewardship Council
Forest Stewardship Council
The Forest Stewardship Council is an international not-for-profit, multi-stakeholder organization established in 1993 to promote responsible management of the world’s forests. Its main tools for achieving this are standard setting, independent certification and labeling of forest products...
has granted certification to a number of sustainable teak plantations in Latin America.
Conflict teak
The destruction of Asia's old-growth teak forests along with the known human rights violations in the region have led some to refer to Asiatic teak as "conflict teak." In 1962, the democratic republic called the Union of Burma was overthrown by a military coup a replaced by a military junta, infamous for human rights abuses and using violence to put down protests. In 1989, the Burmese government changed the country's name to MyanmarMyanmar
Burma , officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar , is a country in Southeast Asia. Burma is bordered by China on the northeast, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, India on the northwest, the Bay of Bengal to the southwest, and the Andaman Sea on the south....
, though teak coming from that nation is typically still referred to as "Burmese teak."
Along with the sale of precious stones, the Burmese government has traditionally relied on the teak trade to finance its operations. Because of this, the direct importation of teak originating from Myanmar (formerly Burma) is currently prohibited, due to sanctions imposed by the US Treasury Department. However, Burmese teak is currently sold in the US marketplace, often imported indirectly through Myanmar's neighbors like China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
or India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, which bypass restrictions by milling and exporting the timber themselves.
Ironically, there's a long-standing belief that teak grown in the Burmese jungle has a longer lifespan and greater durability than timber grown in neighboring countries like India or Thailand. Therefore, the demand for Burmese conflict timber is often much higher than teak harvested under more ethical conditions.
Plantation versus old growth
There exists a common myth that plantation teak exhibits lower densities than timber grown in old-growth forests. However, studies from the USDA and the Forest Research Institute at Dehra Dun, India found no significant relationship between the growth rate of plantation teak and its density.However, to match the wood grain of Burmese teak, some forestry experts recommend a process called slow growth cultivation. By finding regions that closely mimic the precipitation and soil characteristics of Burma, plantation teak may be cultivated without irrigation or fertilizers. Thus, the growth rate is similar to that of Burmese teak, and teak plantations can produce timber that's nearly identical to Asian teak.