Common Names:   Jelutong Jelutong burit Jelutong paya Purchase Jelutong

Mechanical Values

Environmental Profile
The environmental profile of this species within its geographical range has not been officially assessed.

Distribution
The species is reported to occur widely in Malaysia, and less frequently in Borneo. It is also reported to be found in Sumatra. The tree grows from sea level to elevations of up to 1400 feet (427 m). 

Product Sources
Some material from this species is reported to be available from sustainably managed or other environmentally responsible sources. 

Jelutong is reported to have gained popularity in recent years as a choice wood for carving. It is reported to be readily available in thick sizes for that application on the North American market and can be purchased at a moderate price.

Tree Data
The tree is large, attaining a height of about 200 feet (60 m), and trunk diameter of up to 8 feet (2.4 m). The bole is reported to be often straight, cylindrical, and about 90 feet (27 m) long.

Sapwood Color
The sapwood is not distinct from the heartwood and is also creamy white to pale straw in color.

Heartwood Color
The heartwood is initially almost white but turns to creamy white or pale straw upon exposure. Wood discoloration, caused by fungi, is common in trees tapped for latex.

Grain
The grain is usually straight.

Texture
The texture is described as fine and even. Latex tubes, or traces of them, are often found in clusters, 24 to 36 inches (60 to 90 cm) apart on tangential surfaces. They appear initially as large lens-shaped bodies, but become smaller in size after conversion. 

Luster
The surface of the wood is reported to be slightly lustrous.

Odor
There is a slight but distinctive sour odor, but no characteristic taste.

Ease of Drying
The timber is reported to dry easily and rapidly, with a small tendency to degrade. Air drying should be done with adequate air circulation.

Drying Defects
There is a small tendency for the material to check or distort during drying. The timber may also stain since it is difficult to extract moisture from the core of thicker stock. Ample air circulation is essential during air-seasoning to promote rapid surface drying.

Kiln Schedules
T10 - D4S (4/4); T8 - D3S (8/4) US

Movement in Service
The timber is reported to be dimensionally stable and exhibits only small movement in use.

T/R Ratio
1.91
This indicator is more meaningful if it is used together with other drying information and actual shrinkage data in the tangential and radial directions. (Refer to the Numerical Values window).

Natural Durability
The heartwood has very low natural resistance to decay, and is reported to be prone to sap stain. It is highly susceptible to attack by termites and powder-post beetles, and the tree is vulnerable to fungal attack after it is tapped for latex.

Resistance to Impregnation
The timber is reported to be easily treated with preservatives.

Latex Content
The wood is reported to contain latex.

Blunting Effect
Blunting effect on cutting tools is reported to be slight. 

Cutting Resistance
The wood has low resistance to sawing. 

Planing
The timber is reported to work rather easily and readily in planing, carving, boring, mortising, turning, and almost all woodworking operations. It responds well to both hand and machine tools, with only slight blunting effect on cutting edges. Finished surfaces are reported to be often clean and smooth.

Gluing
The material is reported to glue easily.

Nailing
The wood is reported to take nails well.

Screwing
Screwing characteristics are reported to be good. 

Sanding
The timber is reported to sand readily to yield smooth, clean surfaces. 

Polishing
Jelutong is reported to respond less than satisfactorily to polishing. 

Staining
The wood takes stain very well. 

Varnishing
The wood takes varnish very well. 

Painting
Painting properties are reported to be good.

Steam Bending
Steam bending characteristics are reported to be poor.

Comments
Jelutong is reported to have medium density, low bending and crushing strength, and very low stiffness. Latex from the tree is used for the manufacture of chewing gum.