Properties and Uses

Pulai

The Standard Malaysian Name for the timber of Alstonia spp. (Apocynaceae). The timber is a light hardwood with a density of 210–500 kg m^-3 air dry. The sapwood is not differentiated from the heartwood, which is cream to light yellow in colour. Texture is moderately fine to rather coarse, with straight to shallowly interlocked grain. The timber is weak (Strength group D). It is easy to saw and work and the planed surface is smooth. The nailing property is rated as excellent. The timber seasons very rapidly with very minimal degrade like cupping, bowing, twisting and end-checking. The timber is prone to powder-post beetle and sap-stain fungi attacks. 13 mm boards take approximately l.5 months to air dry, while 38 mm boards take 2.5 months. Shrinkage is rather high, especially in the radial direction, where it averages 2.3% while the tangential shrinkage averages 2.8%. For kiln-drying, Schedule J is recommended. The timber dries fast but is prone to stain, mould and insect attacks. 25 mm boards take approximately 5 days to kiln-dry from 50 to 10% moisture content. The timber is non-durable but is easily treated with preservatives.

USES: The timber is suitable for pattern making, fret work, carving, picture frames, toys, packing cases, crates and also for core veneers in plywood manufacture. It has also been successfully used for making wooden clogs as well as disposable chopsticks. The root-wood from A. spatulata and A. pneumatophora which is known as basong is very light, only 50–80 kgm^–3air dry and has been used in the manufacture of pith-helmets.

Vernacular names applied include mergalang (Sar.), pelai (Sar.), pulai (P.M., Sab. and Sar.) with various epithets and sayongan (Sab.). Major species include A. angustifolia, A. angustiloba, A. macrophylla, A. pneumatophora, A. scholaris and A. spatulata.