Hello there, tree walker.

My Story

I am a tropical hardwood tree species, in the family Lamiaceae.  I am a large, deciduous tree and have small, fragrant white flowers arranged in dense clusters (panicles) at the end of the branches.

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I am native to South and South-East Asia.

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Molecular studies show that there are two centres of the genetic origin of teak:  one in India and the other in Myanmar & Laos.  Myanmar's teak forests account for nearly half of the world's naturally occurring teak --- which lead to the famous moniker ‘Burma Teak’.

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My wood is famous for a reason.

Termites don’t like me, water doesn’t scare me, and time respects me.

That’s why boats, doors, windows, carvings, turnings and heirloom furniture often come from my body. I don’t rot easily — I age gracefully.  My wood has a leather-like smell when it is freshly milled.

Entire railway coaches were built from me before the introduction of steel coaches in 1940s.  

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The U Bein Bridge in Amarapura, Myanmar is 1.2-kilometre long bridge built around 1850 and is believed to be the oldest and longest teakwood bridge in the world.

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Yes, I’m the one people whisper about when they talk money, furniture, and “lasting for generations.”

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The vast majority of commercially harvested teak is grown on teak plantations found Indonesia and controlled by Perum Perhutani (a state-owned forest enterprise) that manages the country's forests. Its primary use is in the production of outdoor teak furniture for export. Nilambur in Kerala, India, is also a major producer of teak and is home to the world's oldest teak plantation.

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Teak consumption raises several environmental concerns, such as the disappearance of rare old-growth teak.  This has led my conservation status to be classified as 'endangered', especially in the natural habitats. 

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My leaves are large, rough, and papery.  They are often hairy on the lower surface. In the monsoon, they can be so big that village children once used them as natural umbrellas. Rub them a little — notice the slightly sandpaper feel?

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My leaves are used in making pellakai gatti (jackfruit dumpling), where batter is poured into a teak leaf and steamed.  This type of usage is found in the coastal district of Udupi and other Tulu speaking regions of South India.

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In summer, I shed my leaves without guilt. Goa gets hot, and even strong trees need a break! Then come my tiny white flowers, quietly feeding the bees.

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I grow slowly. Real strength takes time. So when you see me standing calmly here, know this:  I am patience, resilience, and quiet confidence — rooted deep, waiting decades to become legendary.

Next time you admire a solid old door or a century-old wooden boat, you might just be admiring… me.