INTRODUCTION

The Standard Malaysian Name for the timber of Copaifera palustris and Sindora spp. (Leguminosae). Vernacular names applied include sepetir (Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak) with various epithets, petir (Sarawak), tampar hantu (Sarawak) and tepih (Sarawak). Major species include Copaifera palustris; Sindora coriacea, S. echinocalyx, S. siamensis, S. velutina and S. wallichii. The sapwood is light grey-brown or beige with a pink tinge and is clearly defined from the heartwood, which is brown with a pink tinge and darkens on exposure. A corewood, which is streaked with layers of darker coloured to almost black wood is often developed.

Also known as Sepetir (Brunei); Krakas, Krakas meng and Krakas sbek (Cambodia); Ensunut, Kaju galedupa, Samparantu, Sampit, Sansanit, Saserut, Sasundur, Sepatir, Seperhantu, Sepetir, Sepetir berduri, Sinampar, Sindur and Tamparan hantu (Indonesia); Mai tao ho (Laos); Kayu galu and Supa (Philippines); Khaman, Kling, Ma Ka Tae and Makata (Thailand); and Gomat (Vietnam).

DENSITY

The timber is a Light Hardwood with a density of 530-785 kg/m3 air dry.

TEXTURE

Texture is moderately fine and even, with straight or shallowly interlocked grain.

USES

The timber is suitable for general planking, light construction, posts, beams, joists, rafters, ceiling, packing boxes and crates, pallets (expendable and permanent light duty types), door and window frames and sills (internal use only), tool handles (non impact), railway sleepers, cooling tower (non structural members), staircase (apron lining, baluster, handrail, newel and sprandrel framing), flooring, furniture, plywood, picture frames and ornamental items. The streaked material is, however, highly prized as a superior cabinet wood and is suitable for decorative works, joinery, panelling and mouldings.