Kruing wood is obtained from the kruing tree which grows scattered throughout Southeast Asia. This tree grows a lot in Thailand, India, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia. In Indonesia alone kruing tree is found in Kalimantan, Sumatra, Lombok, Java, and Bali. The kruing tree will usually flower and bear fruit in large quantities in a certain season.
Kruing wood originating from Indonesia is very well known in the international market. So that this wood is widely exported abroad because it has a high selling value. This makes the habitat of the kruing tree rare and even almost endangered. In order to know more about this wood, here are some of its characteristics.
Characteristics of Kruing Wood that is Rare in Indonesia
The kruing tree is surnamed Dipterocarpus, morphologically the kruing tree can grow from medium to large in size. Its growth can reach a height of 65 meters. The shape of the stem is straight with a round gilig shape.
Usually gemangnya measuring more than 150 cm to 260 cm. The tree trunk will release resin when peeled off. On the branches of this tree has coarse and fine textured hair. The shape of the leaves of the kruing tree is straight pinnate with the veins on the underside of the leaves clearly visible.
This tree is single-flowered and large with 5 petals. The fruit is usually called a fruit geluk, the shape of the fruit is quite unique because it is wrapped in petals. The size of the fruit is quite large.
For the wood itself, this wood has a brownish red color. But there are also some that have a lighter red color. The wood texture feels rough on most surfaces. This wood grain also looks straight and sometimes the wood surface feels slippery when held.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Kruing Wood
The large number of market demands for this wood, occurs because the wood kruing has a very good quality. Therefore, this wood is often used as a construction material for buildings and furniture. Here’s an explanation of the advantages in full.
1. Very Compact and Strong
This wood has a very good level of hardness or density as a building construction material. This wood can easily glue very strongly if it is glued together with screws or glued. The level of hardness of this wood is parallel to the type of teak wood. However, in terms of durability, this wood is still below teak wood .
2. Including Durable Wood Types
Although the resistance is not as good as teak. This wood is still relatively durable and the level of resistance is equal to used ironwood and mahogany wood. After knowing the advantages, now is the time to know the disadvantages. All types of wood must have different drawbacks. Here’s the complete lack of kruing wood.
3. Processing it is quite difficult
Unlike other types of wood that are easy to process and use as building elements or furniture. This wood is rather difficult to process and requires special treatment in using it.
4. Not Resistant to Moisture and Termite Attack
As previously explained, this wood is not as durable as teak, which is in class III wood in terms of durability. So there is a possibility that the wood is easily weathered and porous when not done extra care. However, the durability of this wood is included in the medium level. So it can still last longer if it is properly cared for.
That was the explanation of kruing wood and its advantages and disadvantages. So that the habitat of the kruing tree does not decrease, we should also take care of its sustainability.