Abstract

There is no real substitute for high quality teak wood in meeting the ever increasing demands of modern society for materials. This paper examines the scope for production of super-quality timber in future teak plantations. The information available on the effects of reducing rotation age and various silvicultural techniques as well as genetic manipulation on timber characteristics is meagre. While throwing several challenges, the available data however indicate tremendous opportunities for wood technologists to exercise control over the wood properties not only to minimise timber defects (proportion of knots, juvenile wood, tension wood, etc.) but also to improve the inherent qualities, when trees are being planted and grown. It is therefore strongly recommended to form a Teak Wood Task Force (TWTF) to prepare an action plan and conduct research for evolving suitable management strategies to maximise the yield of superior-quality timber in future plantations