Coconut timber is a hardwood-substitute from coconut palm trees. It is referred to in the Philippines as coconut lumber, or coco lumber, and elsewhere additionally as coco wood or red palm. It is a new timber resource that comes from plantation crops and offers an alternative to rainforest timber. Coconut timber comes from farmed plantations of old coconut palms. The coconut palm was planted as a crop in large plantations throughout the tropics in the early half of the 20th century in order to harvest the coconut fruit. The tree bears fruit until approximately 70 years of age, at which point it is considered to have reached the end of its economic life and is felled to make way for future crops. Each year, several million palms are felled throughout the tropics. Traditionally, the trunks have been wasted by-products from this process.
Coconut Timber Wood
- Characteristics
- Advantages
a. Beautiful Grain and Attractive Natural Appearance
b. High Value - Disadvantages
a. Easily attacked by mould and fungi
b. Develop cracks
Only in very recent years have people begun to explore the potential commercial uses for this vast, alternative supply of timber. This led to the commercial launch of coconut timber in a range of different products, from flooring to posts to furniture. With these products performing at equal to or even better than conventional hardwoods, coconut timber represents a viable substitute for endangered hardwoods from an ecologically-sound source.
Coconut timber has many applications as both a structural and interior design material. The harder, high-density timber is suitable for general structural purposes such as pillars, trusses, rafting, furniture, window and door frames, floors, decking and floor joists. Medium-density coconut timber can be used for walls, ceiling joists and horizontal studs. Low-density coconut timber is used in non-load bearing applications like wood panelling, internal trim and ceilings, as well as homewares. Coconut timber supplied by Pacific Green is to be used in exterior applications throughout Abu Dhabi’s Masdar City development, including the entrance gates, screens and doors.
Coconut wood texture | Source: google.com
Characteristics
Its wood is reminiscent in appearance to mahogany. However, coconut timber has a much more fibrous grain than mahogany and lacks mahogany’s iridescence. Colour tones and hues range from golden to near ebony, with dark brown flecks. There are three basic colour divisions relating to the timber’s density: dark brown tones (high density); medium brown tones (medium density); and light golden tones (low density). Coconut trees have no annual growth rings, rays, heartwood or branches, meaning that coconut timber is free from knots and other such imperfections.
Buffet Coconut wood | Source: google.com
ADVANTAGES
Beautiful Grain and Attractive Natural Appearance
Coconut wood can be a promising material for the manufacture of furniture, novelties and other handicrafts due to its beautiful grain and attractive natural appearance.
High Value
High-value coconut wood products which include furniture, decorative interior walls, parquet floors, various novelties and curio items like walking sticks, ashtrays, hammer handles, egg cups, plates, bowls, vases, etc. are equally, if not more than, comparable to the traditional wood species commonly used in the furniture industry as far as appearance is concerned. Hence, with effective product promotion, quality furniture and other high-value coconut wood products can have a potential share not only in the domestic but also in the world markets.
DISADVANTAGES
Easily attacked by mould and fungi
Coconut wood has the potential for the manufacture of high value and export-quality finished products. However, like many other conventional wood species, untreated freshly-cut lumber can be easily attacked by mould and staining fungi especially if the material is not properly stacked and is exposed to a humid environment during the air-drying process. Further degradation during air drying can also be caused by decay fungi and pinhole borers. Hence, prophylactic treatment is necessary if it is used for the production of high-value products for export.
Develop cracks
Checks and cracks develop on the surface of improperly dried coconut wood or in response to variation of relative humidity; hence kiln drying should be done to bring its moisture content to the level most appropriate for equilibrium with its location in service.
Check out our complete article about “8 Types of Wood and Their Characteristics”. All of the mentioned wood can be ordered at Kaliuda Gallery Bali, the best teak wood furniture supplier in Bali- Indonesia. We sell indoor and outdoor furniture. Kaliuda Gallery is the best art gallery furniture in Bali. Not only supplying furniture but also providing Balinese home decor and antique primitive art.