Properties and Uses

Geronggang

The Standard Malaysian Name for the lightweight timbers of Cratoxylum spp. (Guttiferae). The timber is a light hardwood with a density of 350–610 kg m^–3air dry. The sapwood is yellow with a pink tinge and is moderately sharply defined from the heartwood, which is dark pink or light brick-red. Texture is moderately coarse but even, with straight or sometimes shallowly interlocked grain. The timber is weak (Strength group D). It is easy to resaw and cross-cut. Planing is easy and the planed surface is smooth. Nailing property is rated excellent. The timber seasons rapidly without any form of degrade at all. 38 mm boards take approximate 2 months to air dry. Shrinkage is high, with radial shrinkage averaging 2.2% and tangential shrinkage averaging 4.2%. For kiln-drying, Schedule E is recommended and the timber is reported to dry well under this schedule. The timber is non-durable but is easily treated with preservatives.

USES: The timber is suitable for joinery, furniture manufacture, panelling, mouldings, veneers for plywood manufacture, particleboard and wood-wool cement-board.

Vernacular names applied include dat (Sar.), di’it (Sar.), kirap (Sar.), labakan (Sar.), manat (Sar.), mertilan (Sar.), pidang (Sar.), serungan (Sab.), serungan labakan (Sar.), tat (Sar.) and timau (Sar.). Major species include C. arborescens and C. glaucum.