Lecture - 34 A general account of Timber plants: Teak, Sal, Shisham, Deodar and Pine
A general account of Timber plants: Teak, Sal, Shisham, Deodar and Pine:-
1. Teak:-
Botanical Name:- Tectona grandis
Family:- Lamiaceae (formerly Verbenaceae)
Characteristics:-
> Large deciduous tree reaching up to 30-40 meters
> Leaves are large, rough, and shed seasonally
> Flowers are white and fragrant; fruit is a drupe
Wood Properties:-
> Heartwood is golden brown, durable, oily to touch
> Resistant to termites, fungi, and weathering
> Contains natural oils
Uses:-
> Shipbuilding and boat decks
> High-quality furniture and flooring
> Doors, windows, and carvings
> Railway sleepers and construction
2. Sal:-
Botanical Name:- Shorea robusta
Family:- Dipterocarpaceae
Characteristics:-
> Tall deciduous tree up to 35 m high
> Bark is rough and dark brown
> Leaves are simple and leathery
Wood Properties:-
> Hard, heavy, and coarse-grained
> Light reddish brown, very durable
> Not easily workable due to hardness
Uses:-
> Railway sleepers, beams, posts
> Construction and house building
> Firewood and charcoal
> Resin used for medicinal and industrial purposes
3. Shisham (Indian Rosewood):-
Botanical Name:- Dalbergia sissoo
Family:- Fabaceae
Characteristics:-
> Medium to large deciduous tree
> Compound leaves with 3–5 leaflets
> Fast-growing and nitrogen-fixing
Wood Properties:-
> Dark brown to golden with beautiful grain
> Strong, tough, termite and fungus-resistant
> Polishes well
Uses:-
> High-grade furniture and cabinetry
> Agricultural implements and tool handles
> Musical instruments
> Flooring and carving
4. Deodar (Himalayan Cedar):-
Botanical Name:- Cedrus deodara
Family:- Pinaceae
Characteristics:-
> Tall evergreen conifer; height up to 60 meters
> Needle-like leaves and large woody cones
> Grows at altitudes of 1500–3200 m
Wood Properties:-
> Light yellowish-brown, soft and fragrant
> Easy to work, durable and decay-resistant
> Contains aromatic oils that resist insects
Uses:-
> Construction of temples and houses in hilly regions
> Railway sleepers, beams, and rafters
> Furniture and paneling
> Traditional medicinal use of oil
5. Pine:-
Botanical Name:- Pinus roxburghii (Chir Pine, most common in India)
Family:- Pinaceae
Characteristics:-
> Evergreen coniferous tree with long needle-like leaves
> Grows in poor soils, drought-resistant
> Produces woody cones
Wood Properties:-
> Light, soft, and resinous
> Low durability unless treated
> Resin (oleoresin) extractable from bark
Uses:-
> Packaging (crates and boxes), matchsticks
> Plywood and furniture
> Resin used in turpentine, varnish, and soap industries
> Reforestation and erosion control
