No_4_March_and_April__1949 — Page 58

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Round Teak logs are also shipped, but they are frequently very defective—a feature which is a reflection on the high utilization value of the timber,

Teak fetches about twice the price of any other timber on the Hong Kong market, selling at $25-$30 per cu. ft.

2(a) BALAU. Other names:-Shorea spp., Selangan Batu,

Borneo Teak, Yacal, Resak.

Chinese name:-Yat Ho Chau (-)

Balau is the trade name given to wood produced by a large number of species of trees and under this heading is really classed all very hard and heavy Dipterocarp Timbers weighing over 55 lbs. per cu. ft. This timber is very resistant to termite and fungal attack and durable in contact with the ground. It is semi-resistant to teredo and other marine borers. It is unsuitable for interior work owing to its typical cross grain which makes it very difficult to work. The export of Balau from Malaya is prohibited except under special authority from the F.M.S.

2(b) BILLIAN, (Eusideroxylon Zwageri}

Chinese Black wood,

Chinese name:-Kwan Tin ()

Billian is one of the hardest and strongest timbers in the world and grows only in Borneo. This wood has a straight grain and saws and works well when machined but great power is required. With Greenheart (from British Guiana) it is the outstanding timber in the world for its resistance to marine borers and this factor may be due to its high silica content as well as its hardness. It is very resistant to termites and very durable in contact with the ground.

Shipments from Borneo arrive rather spasmodically, and the logs are generally on the small side rarely exceeding 8 ft. in girth. Owing to the tendency of the tree to produce buttresses the logs are often shipped as "squared Billian' which only implies that the buttresses have been adzed off. and not that the logs are "squared."

2(c). SELANGAN BATU No. 2. No. 2 Yacal.

Chinese Name: Ye Ho Chau (##)

1

This timber is also produced by a large number of trees and in comparison with Selangan Batu the wood is rather softer and more porous. This nomenclature arises as a result of the Trade requiring some means of distinguishing these two timbers. In point of fact several identical species are classed under Balau from F.M.S. and Selangan Batu No. 2

from Borneo. The wood is somewhat less heavy (50--55 lbs. per cu. ft.) than that generally classed in the category of Balau and consequently somewhat less durable.

Anisoptera spp. (Mersawa) is sold under this heading on the Hong Kong market and because of its somewhat similar appearance to Chengal (q.v.) is sometimes even substituted for it and sold under the bogus name of "Cheng Ai" on the local market. It is a non-durable wood, very much lighter and softer than the other timbers in this group and is properly classified under Light Hardwoods. It is however a somewhat superior timber to the Seraya class. 2(d) CHENGAL. (Balanocarpus Heimii).

Chinese name:-Yat Ho Chau (-)

Siamese name:-Takienchan.

This timber is a prohibited export from Malaya and as only very limited supplies are exported from Siam, it is now rarely seen on the Hong Kong market. Having a high natural durability it is used extensively in contact with the ground as well as for heavy structural work and is considered the best wood produced by Malaya, prices being quoted at 20% higher than for Balau. It is highly resistant to both termite and fungal infections.

2(e) SELANGAN BATU MERAH. (Shorea guiso).

Chinese name: Shaap Chau Muk, Hung Chau Muk

(课松木,[技术)

This timber is imported into Hong Kong in considerable quantities from Borneo and is at once distinguishable by its pink-brown colour and its numerous intercellular canals filled with white resin which are plainly visible on all surfaces.

The timber may be included in shipments of Balau but in point of fact it is somewhat less hard, straighter grained and less durable.

2(f). MERBAU.

(Instia Palembanica)

Ipil, Borneo Teak. Mirabow.

Chinese name:-Kuk Muk (*)

This is one of the most durable woods in Malaya in contact with the ground and is also semi-resistent to marine borers. It has very low figures for shrinkage (radial 2.7 tangential 4.6) being only slightly higher than teak 2.3 and 4.2). It can be used for high class joinery, flooring and furniture and can be generally substituted for teak except for draining boards and sills. It is termite resistant but some- what susceptible to fungal attack.

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