Brazilian Teak and other illusions
There's coming to be a lot of South American hardwood sold with misleading
names and uncertain species or origin.
Also of interest is Brad Ives' company Deepwater Ventures which imports
boatbuilding woods. They are well respected.
Glenn Ashmore wrote:
Centeral American and Brazilian plantations are growing real teak
started from Burmese seed selected for quality and growth rate. The
primary difference is in the way it is grown. Plantation grown trees
are spaced and cultivated to produce the highest stumpage yield in the
shortest amount of time. That results in a somewhat coarser grain
structure. You could compare it to old growth yellow pine that had to
struggle for 50 years in the wild to grow to prime lumber vs modern tree
farm yellow pine that is ready to harvest in 20 years. Same tree.
Different growing methods.
What had me confused was the term "Brazilian teak" which has nothing to
do with teak at all.
Bill wrote:
There are also multiple "Teak "plantations in Central America. They are
quoting something like 15 years to harvest, . I don't know the specie
Bill
"Glenn Ashmore" wrote in message
news:dQDvc.5458$g%.3740@lakeread04...
I must correct myself. Did some checking and the trade name "Brazilian
teak" is actually Cumaru aka Ebo. Dipteryx, odorata, not teak at all.
Similar in density, strength and durability to teak but less
dimensionally stable.
That is going to lead to no end of confusion because there are several
large real teak plantations starting to harvest in Brazil.
Jim Conlin wrote:
Is it the same species, tectona grandis ?
Glenn Ashmore wrote:
Brazilian and Central American teak is plantation grown using a lot of
agricultural technology. It grows faster so the rings are thicker and
the grain is a little more coarse. It is still resistant to rot and
actually has a little better non-skid properties but it somewhat
softer
so it does not weather as well and has to be maintained more carefully.
South East Aisian teak is almost impossible to get these days because
of
some world wide bans. What is available is usually smuggled out of
Burma.
x wrote:
Is Brazilian teak as good as the stuff from S.E Asia?
--
Glenn Ashmore
I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or
lack
there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com
Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com
--
Glenn Ashmore
I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com
Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com
--
Glenn Ashmore
I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com
Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com