Common Name: Borneo Teak

General Information

Intsia palembanica is a briefly deciduous, medium-sized to large tree that can grow up to 50 metres tall[]. When growing in the forest its bole can be free of branches for up to 22 metres and 60 - 120cm in diameter (with a record of one tree 400cm in diameter). Buttresses are up to 7 metres high, 30cm thick, and extending outwards for up to 6 metres[, , ].
The tree is widely exploited for its high quality wood, which is traded internationally[]. It is also sometimes harvested for local use as a source of food, medicines and other commodities.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines.

Habitat

Widespread, in coastal regions, edges of seasonal swamps, on inundated lands, locally common to very common in lowland primary or older secondary forests, sometimes on sandstone and limestone hills, at elevations up to 850 metres[]

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	40.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A tree of the moister lowland tropics, it is found most commonly near sea level, though it can succeed at elevations up to 450 metres[]. It grows best in areas where the minimum temperature does not fall below 17°c and the maximum is no higher than 33°c[]. It is susceptible to frost[]. It tolerates an annual rainfall in the range 1,500 - 2,300 mm[].
The following notes are taken from Intsia bijuga, and are likely to be more or less true for this species. Prefers a position in full sun[]. Prefers a very well-drained soil[]. Plants are very tolerant of saline soils and salt-laden winds[, ]. Established plants are moderately drought tolerant[].

Edible Uses

Young seeds are sometimes eaten[]. The seedpods are 15 - 19cm long (exceptionally to 40cm) and 5 - 7cm wide (exceptionally 9cm), containing several seeds 30 - 45mm long, 15 - 30mm wide, and 5 - 12mm thick[].

Medicinal

Bark and leaves are used medicinally[].

Other Uses

Brown and yellow dyes are obtained from the bark and wood[, ]. They are used for colouring mats and clothes[].

The heartwood is orangey-brown, becoming dark red-brown or dark brown when exposed to the light; it is clearly demarcated from the 5 - 8cm wide band of white or pale yellow sapwood. The texture is coarse but even; the grain interlocked or wavy. The wood is heavy; hard to very hard; strong; durable, being resistant to fungi and dry wood borers, and moderately resistant to termites and ocean water. It seasons slowly, with only a slight risk of checking and distortion; once dry it is stable in service. The wood works well but has a fairly high blunting effect, stellite-tipped and tungsten carbide tools are recommended; nailing and screwing are good, but require pre-boring; gluing is correct; the wood takes a very fine polish. It is used for high-grade construction work, interior finishing, panelling, parquet flooring, furniture, railroad ties and beams[, , ].

Propagation

Seed -

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