List of Indian timber trees

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There are over 150 species of timber which are produced in India. Following are the chief varieties of timber (trees) which are used for engineering purposes in India:

Contents

Common name Binomial nomenclature Colour Density ¹LocationCharacteristics, usage and status
Aini or Aangili Artocarpus hirsutus Yellowish brown595 kg/m31,003 lb/cu yd Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala Elastic, close-grained, and strong. It takes polish. It can be used underwater. It is used for ordinary building construction, structural work, paving, and furniture.
Ardu Ailanthus excelsa White to pale yellowish433 kg/m3730 lb/cu yd Rajasthan, West Bengal, Orissa, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh It develops straight grained, fairly even and very coarse textured. It can be used for timber, poles, pulp and paper, furniture, fodder, fuel, matchbox making and medicinal purposes.
Arjun Terminalia arjuna Terminalia elliptica Dark brown [1] 870 kg/m31,470 lb/cu yd Central India It is heavy and strong. It has such uses as beams, rafters, and posts.
Axlewood Anogeissus latifolia 930 kg/m31,570 lb/cu ydAndhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh It is very strong, hard and tough. It takes a smooth finish. It is subject to cracking.
Babul Acacia nilotica subsp. indica Whitish red835 kg/m31,407 lb/cu yd Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Bengal, Gujarat, Uttar PradeshIt is strong, hard and tough and it takes up a good polish. It is used for such products as bodies and wheels of bullock cart, agricultural instruments, tool handles, and well curbs.
Bakul Mimusops elengi Mimusops parvifolia [2] Reddish brown880 kg/m31,480 lb/cu ydSome parts of North IndiaIt is close-grained and tough. It is used for making cabinets.
Bamboo Family Poaceae, tribe BambuseaeThroughout India, especially Assam and BengalNot actually a tree, but a woody grass, it is flexible, very strong and durable. It is used for scaffoldings, thatched roofs, rafters, and temporary bridges.
Banyan Ficus benghalensis Brown580 kg/m3980 lb/cu ydThroughout IndiaIt is strong and durable only under water. The aerial roots are utilized for such items as tent poles and well curbs.
Benteak Lagerstroemia parviflora 675 kg/m31,138 lb/cu ydKerala, Madras, Maharashtra, KarnatakaIt is strong and takes up a smooth surface. It may be used for building constructions, boat building and furniture.
Bijasal Pterocarpus marsupium Light brown800 kg/m31,300 lb/cu ydKarnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Orissa It is coarse-grained, durable and strong but difficult to work. Termites (also known as white ant) do not easily attack it. It is used for ordinary building construction and for cart wheels. Vulnerable. [3]
Casuarina Casuarina spp.Reddish brown765 kg/m31,289 lb/cu ydAndhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala (Exotic, originally from Australia)It grows straight. It is strong and fibrous. It is, however, badly twisted. It is often used for scaffolding and posts for temporary structures.
Coconut Cocos nuciferaReddish brownThroughout coastal IndiaTakes polish. Requires preservative treatment. Used as poles, piles, furniture and as formwork in concrete construction.
Deodar Cedrus deodaraYellowish brown560 kg/m3940 lb/cu yd Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.Deodar is the most important timber tree providing soft wood. It can be easily worked and it is moderately strong. It possesses distinct annual rings. It is used for making cheap furniture, railway carriages, railway sleepers, packing boxes, and structural work.
Gambar Gmelina arborea Pale yellow580 kg/m3980 lb/cu yd Central India, South India It can be easily worked and is strong and durable especially when used under water. It is used for such products as furniture, carriage, well curbs, yokes, and door panels.
Hopea Hopea parviflora Light to deep brown1,010 kg/m31,700 lb/cu ydMadras, KeralaHopea is extremely strong and tough. It is difficult to work. However, it can be seasoned easily and it is durable and not likely to be damaged by white ants. It has been variously used for ordinary house construction, railway sleepers, piles, and boat building. Endangered. [4]
Himalayan Elm, Indian Elm Ulmus wallichiana Red960 kg/m31,620 lb/cu ydThroughout IndiaIt is moderately hard and strong. It is used for door and window frames, and carts.
Ironwood, Penaga Lilin,
Bosneak, Gangaw, Mesua		 Mesua ferrea Reddish brown [5] 960–1,060 kg/m31,620–1,790 lb/cu yd [6] Ironwood is durable though it is very hard and is not easily worked. It even resists penetration of nails. It is used for ordinary house construction, bridges, piles, agricultural instruments, railway wagons, and railway sleepers.
Irul, Pyinkado Xylia xylocarpa 830–1,060 kg/m31,400–1,790 lb/cu yd [7] Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Tamil NaduIt is very hard, heavy and durable. Difficult to work, it also requires slow and careful seasoning. It is used for railway sleepers, agricultural instruments, paving blocks, and heavy construction. Least concern. [8]
Jack Mangifera caesia.Yellow, darkens with age595 kg/m31,003 lb/cu ydKarnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, KeralaIt is compact and even grained. It is moderately strong and easy to work. It takes a good finish and maintains its shape well. It has many uses including plain furniture, boat construction, well curbs, door panels, cabinet making and musical instruments.
Jarul Lagerstroemia flos-reginaeLight reddish gray640 kg/m31,080 lb/cu ydAssam, Bengal, MaharashtraHard and durable, it can be easily worked. It takes a good finish and is used for house construction, boat building, railway carriages, cart making and scaffolding.
Kathal, Keledang, [9] JackfruitArtocarpus heterophyllusYellow to deep brown800 kg/m31,300 lb/cu yd [9] Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil NaduIt is heavy and hard. It is durable under water and in damp conditions, however, it cracks if exposed to direct sun. White ants do not attack it. It is used for piles, platforms of wooden bridges, door and window panels.
Lauraceae, Saj Lauraceae Dark brown [10] 880 kg/m31,480 lb/cu ydKarnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil NaduIt is strong, hard and tough. It is subject to cracking and attack by dry rot. White ants do not attack it. It takes a smooth finish. It is used for such purposes as house construction, boat construction, railway sleepers and structural work.
Mahogany Swietenia spp.Reddish brown720 kg/m31,210 lb/cu ydKerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra, Bengal (Exotic, originally from Jamaica)It takes a good polish and is easily worked. It is durable under water. It is most commonly used for furniture, pattern making and cabinet work.
Mango Mangifera sppDeep gray560–720 kg/m3940–1,210 lb/cu yd [11] Throughout IndiaThe mango tree is well known for its fruits. It is easy to work and it maintains its shape well. It is moderately strong. It is most often used for cheap furniture, toys, packing boxes, cabinet work, panels for doors and for windows.
Mulberry Morus spp.Brown650 kg/m31,100 lb/cu ydPunjabIt is strong, tough and elastic. It takes up a clean finish. It can be well seasoned. It is turned and carved easily. Mulberry is typically used for baskets and sports goods like hockey sticks, tennis rackets and cricket bats.
Oak Quercus spp.Yellowish brown865 kg/m31,458 lb/cu ydOak is strong and durable, with straight silvery grain. It is used for preparing sporting goods.
Palm Arecaceae Dark brown1,040 kg/m31,750 lb/cu ydThroughout IndiaIt contains ripe wood in the outer crust. The colour of this ripened wood is dark brown. It is strong, durable and fibrous. Palm is used for furniture, roof covering, rafters and joists.
Pine Pinus spp.Pine wood is hard and tough except white pine which is soft. It decays easily if it comes into contact with soil. It is heavy and coarse grained. It is used for pattern making, frames for doors and windows, and for paving material. White pine is light and straight grained and is used in the manufacture of matches.
Red cedar Red [1] 480 kg/m3810 lb/cu ydAssam, NagpurIt is soft and even grained. It is used for furniture, door panels and well curbs.
Rosewood Dalbergia latifolia Dark [1] 850 kg/m31,430 lb/cu yd [12] Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, OrrissaIt is strong, tough and close-grained. It is a handsome wood that takes up a high polish. It maintains its shape well and is available in large sizes. It is used for furniture of superior quality, cabinet work, and ornamental carvings. Vulnerable. [13]
Sal Shorea robusta Brown [1] 880–1,050 kg/m31,480–1,770 lb/cu yd [14] Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Jharkhand, ChhattisgarhIt is hard, fibrous and close-grained. It does not take up a good polish. It requires slow and careful seasoning. It is durable under ground and water. It is used for railway sleepers, shipbuilding, and bridges.
Sandalwood Santalum spp.White or Red930 kg/m31,570 lb/cu ydKarnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, Nagpur, BengalIt has a pleasant smell. It is commonly used for agricultural instruments, well curbs, wheels, and mallets. Vulnerable. [15]
Satinwood Chloroxylon swietenia Yellow [16] 960 kg/m31,620 lb/cu ydCentral and Southern IndiaIt is very hard and durable. It is close grained. It is used for furniture and other ornamental works. Vulnerable. [17]
Simul Bombax spp.White450 kg/m3760 lb/cu ydAll over IndiaIt is a loose grained, inferior quality wood. Light in weight, it is used for packing cases, the match industry, well curbs, and for cheap furniture.
Siris Albizia spp.Dark brownNorth IndiaHard and durable, Siris wood is difficult to work. It is used for well curbs in salty water, beams, posts, and furniture.
Sissoo Dalbergia sissoo Yellowish white770 kg/m31,300 lb/cu ydMysore, Maharashtra, Assam, Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, OrissaAlso known as shisham or tali, this wood is strong and tough. It is durable and handsome and it maintains its shape well. It can be easily seasoned. It is difficult to work but it takes a fine polish. It is used for high quality furniture, plywoods, bridge piles, sport goods, and railway sleepers. It is a very good material for decorative works and carvings.
Spruce Picea spp.480 kg/m3810 lb/cu ydSpruce wood resists decay and is not affected by the attack of marine borers. It is however liable to shrink, twist and warp. It is used for piles under water and (formerly) for aeroplane construction.
Sundri Heritiera fomes Dark red960 kg/m31,620 lb/cu ydBengalIt is hard and tough. It is difficult to season and work. It is elastic and close grained. It is strong and durable. These qualities make it suited for such uses as boat building, piles, poles, tool handles, and carriage shafts.
Tamarind Tamarindus indicaDark brown1,300 kg/m32,200 lb/cu yd[ citation needed ]All over IndiaTamarind is knotty and durable. It is a beautiful tree for avenue and gardens. Its development is very slow but it ultimately forms a massive appearance. Its fruit is also very useful. It is used for agricultural instruments, well curbs, sugar mills, carts and brick burning.
Teak Tectona grandisDeep yellow to dark brown [18] 639 kg/m31,077 lb/cu yd [19] Central India and Southern IndiaModerately hard, teak is durable and fire-resistant. It can be easily seasoned and worked. It takes up a good polish and is not attacked by white ants and dry rot. It does not corrode iron fastenings and it shrinks little. It is among the most valuable timber trees of the world and its use is limited to superior work only.
Toon, Red Cedar [20] Toona ciliata Reddish brown or dull red [1] 450 kg/m3760 lb/cu yd [20] AssamIt can be easily worked. It is light in weight. It is used for such products as furniture, packing boxes, cabinet making and door panels.
¹ After seasoning at 12% moisture content

Indian Mangrove

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Wood Carving Industries Private Limited : About Us Archived 2007-07-04 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ↑ Mimusops elengi Archived 2007-10-12 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ↑ 2007 IUCN Red List – Search
  4. ↑ 2007 IUCN Red List – Search
  5. ↑ Exotic Wood penaga Archived 2007-09-28 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ↑ Mesua ferrea Archived 2007-03-25 at the Wayback Machine
  7. ↑ Pyinkado
  8. ↑ [ dead link ]
  9. 1 2 "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2006-11-30. Retrieved 2007-07-25.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  10. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2007-07-25.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  11. ↑ Mango Archived 2007-09-27 at the Wayback Machine
  12. ↑ Dalbergia latifolia Archived 2008-01-02 at the Wayback Machine
  13. ↑ 2007 IUCN Red List – Search
  14. ↑ Sal - Shorea robusta - Flora - Tree - Timber - Haryana Online - North India Archived 2007-09-27 at the Wayback Machine
  15. ↑ 2007 IUCN Red List – Search
  16. ↑ Exotic Wood satinwood
  17. ↑ 2007 IUCN Red List – Search
  18. ↑ Exotic Wood teak
  19. ↑ http://tropix.cirad.fr/asia/teak.pdf%5B%5D
  20. 1 2 Nrrpc-Wood Property Report On Camphor Laurel Archived 2007-08-29 at the Wayback Machine
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