wooddepot
Tembusu
Tembusu
Cutting cost $3 per cut. Leaving your cut list at the check out and we will contact you. Or contact us via email or WhatsApp to discuss your needs.
Please contact us for availability of plank sizes. A limited selection of Tembusu planks of various sizes are available (website stock may not be accurate). Better still, come down and have a look at our stock and chat with us for wood advice and application.
Tembusu wood, derived from the Tembusu tree (Fagraea fragrans), is a highly durable and robust hardwood native to Southeast Asia, including countries like Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. Revered for its strength and resilience, Tembusu is easily recognized by its deeply fissured bark and fragrant white flowers. This wood is known for its exceptional hardness and density, making it a preferred choice for heavy-duty applications and where longevity is of utmost importance.
Appearance: Tembusu wood boasts a distinctive light brown to dark yellowish-brown coloration, often with a subtle orange hue. Its grain is typically straight but can exhibit an interlocked pattern, adding to its visual appeal. The wood has a fine to medium texture that, when finished, highlights its natural beauty and depth of color, making it highly valued for aesthetic purposes as well as its strength.
Characteristics & Properties: One of the most notable properties of Tembusu is its exceptional hardness and density, making it highly resistant to wear and tear. This durability extends to excellent resistance against decay, termites, and other pests, ensuring its longevity in even the most challenging environments. Its natural oils contribute to its durability, further enhancing its resistance to moisture and fungal attacks. However, this density can also make the wood difficult to dry, requiring careful handling to prevent cracking or warping.
Workability: Due to its hardness, working with Tembusu can be challenging. It requires sharp, carbide-tipped tools for effective cutting and shaping. While machining can be difficult, the wood sands to a smooth finish, revealing its attractive grain and color. Drilling is recommended before nailing or screwing to avoid splitting. Despite these challenges, Tembusu can be beautifully finished, emphasizing its natural color and texture.
Applications: Tembusu's remarkable strength and durability make it ideal for heavy-duty structural applications, including bridge construction, railway sleepers, and heavy support beams. It is also favored for outdoor furniture, decking, and flooring, where its resistance to decay and pests ensures longevity and minimal maintenance. In addition, its aesthetic qualities make it suitable for high-end decorative items, sculptures, and in select cases, specialty indoor furniture that can showcase its unique color and grain.
In conclusion, Tembusu wood is a testament to nature's ability to produce materials of incredible strength and lasting beauty. Its challenging workability is offset by its durability, resistance to environmental stresses, and visual appeal, making it a valuable material for projects that require the utmost in performance and longevity. Whether for structural applications or decorative uses, Tembusu stands out as a premium choice in the world of carpentry and woodworking.