|
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 builders 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. |
|