The timber is a Light Hardwood with a density of 415-885 kg/m3 air dry.
The Standard Malaysian Name for the dark red and lightweight timber of the genus Shorea(Dipterocarpaceae). Vernacular names used includemeranti (Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak) with various epithets, seraya (Sabah) with various epithets, nemesu (Peninsular Malaysia), nemusu(Peninsular Malaysia), seraya (Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah), obar suluk (Sabah) and also various local names too numerous to list here. Major species producing this timber include S. acuminata (partly), S. argentifolia, S. curtisii, S. ovata, S. monticola, S. pauciflora, S. platyclados and S. slootenii. The sapwood is pink with a grey tinge and is not clearly defined from the heartwood, which is medium red to deep red to deep red-brown.
Also known as Dark red Lauan, Dark Red Philippines Mahogany, Mayapis, Red lauan, Tangile and Tiaong(Philippines); Dark Red Meranti (Brunei); Meranti ketuko, Meranti Merah and Meranti merah tua (Indonesia); Saya and Saya-Daeng(Thailand).
AIR DRYING
The seasoning properties of some species tested are summarised below:
|
Species |
Time to air dry (months) |
Remarks |
|
|
13 mm thick boards |
38 mm thick boards |
||
| S. curtisii |
2 |
3 |
Fairly fast drying; free from seasoning defects. |
| S. pauciflora |
2.5 |
4 |
Fairly fast drying; free from seasoning defects. |
| S. platyclados |
2 |
4 |
Fairly fast drying; free from seasoning defects. |
| S. singkawang |
3 |
5 |
Fairly slow drying rate; free from seasoning defects. |
