Properties and Uses

Yellow Meranti

The Standard Malaysian Name for the timber of the Richetia group of Shorea (Dipterocarpaceae). The timber is a light hardwood with a density of 575–735 kg m^-3 air dry. The sapwood is lighter in colour than and is clearly defined from the heartwood, which is lighter yellow brown with a green tinge, darkening to deeper shades of yellow brown or brown. Texture is moderately coarse but even, with usually interlocked and sometimes wavy grain. The timber is only moderately strong (Strength group C). It is easy to resaw and cross-cut in both green or air dry conditions. Planing is also easy and the planed surface is smooth to moderately smooth. Nailing property ranges from good to poor depending on the species. The timber dries moderately slowly, with very little degrade, except for some cupping, bowing and powder post beetle attacks in the sap¬wood. 13 mm boards take approximately 3 months to air dry, while 38 mm boards take 5 months. Shrinkage is rather high to high, espe¬cially in the tangential direction. Radial shrinkage ranges between 0.9 and 1.2% while tangential shrinkage ranges between 3.1 and 3.8%. For kiln-drying, Schedule J is recommended. The timber is reported to dry well, without any defects. It is non-durable under exposed conditions and is moderately difficult to treat with preservatives.

USES: The timber is suitable for general utility purposes, planking, light construc¬tion, panelling and partitioning, furniture manufacture, flooring and pallets. This timber is highly prized as a plywood species.

Vernacular names applied include bam (Ph.), damar hitam (P.M.) with various epithets, meranti (P.M. and Sar.) with various epithets, seraya (Ph.), seraya kuning (Sab.) with various epithets and other localised names too numerous to list here. Major species include S. dolichocarpa, S. faguetiana, S. gibbosa, S. hopeifolia, S. longisperma, S. maxima and S. multiflora.