INTRODUCTION

The Standard Malaysian Name for the timber of Pentace spp. (Tiliaceae). Vernacular names applied include balong ayam (Peninsular Malaysia), baru (Sarawak), janda baik (Peninsular Malaysia), kebal ayam (Peninsular Malaysia), kempayang hantu (Peninsular Malaysia), melunak (Peninsular Malaysia) with various epithets, pinang baik (Peninsular Malaysia) and takalis (Sabah) with various epithets. Major species include P. adenophora, P. curtisii, P. laxiflora, P. macrophylla and P. triptera. The sapwood is yellow or light straw-coloured and is moderately sharply defined from the heartwood, which is brown with a red or pink tinge or red-brown.

Also known as Melunak (Brunei); Sisiet and Tassiet (Cambodia); Kayu pinang and Pinang (Indonesia); Mai si siat and Sisiet (Laos); Kashit, Thitka, Thit-kashit and Thitsho (Myanmar); Si-Sat, Sisiat, Sisiat-pluak and Tongsuk (Thailand); and Nghien (Vietnam).

DENSITY

The timber is a Light Hardwood with a density of 530-755 kg/m3 air dry.

TEXTURE

Texture is moderately fine and even with shallowly to deeply interlocked grain.

USES

The timber is suitable for interior finishing, decorative works, panelling, mouldings, superior joinery, cabinet making, furniture, flooring, ornamental items, joists, railway sleepers, plywood, staircase (apron lining, carriages, riser, stringer, tread, bullnose, round end and winder), pallets (expendable and permanent light duty types) and other light construction. There is a suggestion that this timber will make good diving boards. In Burma, similar timber is sold under the name of 'Burma Mahogany' or 'Thitka' and is a very popular wood for high class furniture.