subject: Rustic Furniture & Teak Furniture - Where Quality Meets Durability [print this page] Rustic Furniture & Teak Furniture - Where Quality Meets Durability
Teak Wood Plantations of the World
Teak wood trees and teak plantations one can find in many countries, such as Thailand, India, Burma and Indonesia. In Burma / Myanmar for example, the law says that a teak wood tree must be 90 years old before they are permitted to cut it back. Violators of this rule will be fined heavily and imprisoned. That means the teak wood tree is naturally grown and so high, that the stem at the bottom of the tree can measure up to several meters. Whole furniture pieces can be made then out of one single wood piece, which makes the teak wood and furniture from Myanmar the highest priced in the world.
In Indonesia the Indonesian Forest Authority regulates and limits the cutback of the teak wood trees. Depending on the location of the plantation, the teak wood trees have to be 30-40 years old, before they are allowed to be cut. Java has some of the biggest teak-plantations worldwide, and here lies the actual heart of Indonesia's teak furniture production (Teak is the most important commercial tree species in Indonesia). There are 0.6 million ha of production plantations and most are based on seed from these production areas. The teak trees in Java are planted by "Perum Perhutani", a state forest enterprise which is responsible for the management of the teak wood.
Durability of Teak
In terms of teak wood history in Indonesia, Teak has been used for centuries (especially by the Dutch) in the shipbuilding industry, and was a standard material in the construction of the tall ships and clippers that sailed the world's oceans. Many benches sitting in English parks & gardens today were constructed of the wood salvaged from these sailing ships when they were dismantled - some are over 100 years old and still holding up very well. It is claimed that in Southeast Asia there are structural beams over 1,000 years old that are still functional.
Today Teak is commonly used to make doors, door & window frames, furniture, floors & floor tiles, supporting and decorative columns, and heavy beams in houses, bridges and temples. High quality Living Room Furniture, Dining Room Furniture and Rustic Furniture is been made of Teak. Teak is also used extensively in the construction of modern yachts, sailboats and luxury cruisers. It is prized by boat owners for its beauty and durability.
