Tall deciduous tropical tree of the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, reaching 40 m, with the most weather-, water- and termite-resistant common hardwood timber in the world. The classic boat-deck, marine joinery, and outdoor-furniture timber.
Hardiness ratings
| System | Rating | Temperature range | How to read it |
|---|---|---|---|
| USDA hardiness zone | Zone 10–12 | −1.1 °C to 15.6 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| RHS hardiness rating | H1c | 5 °C to 10 °C | Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance |
| Canadian plant hardiness zone | Zone 9 | −1 °C and warmer | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| Australian (ANBG) zone | Zone 5–7 | 5 °C and warmer | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
Growing notes
- Heartwood — exceptionally durable, oily, dimensionally stable, and rot-resistant; the standard timber for boat decking, marine joinery, and high-end outdoor furniture
- WARNING: Wild old-growth Burmese teak is the subject of major sustainability and conflict-finance concerns, with international restrictions tightening. Purchase only certified plantation-grown teak (FSC-certified Indian, Indonesian, or Central American plantations are widely available)
- Tropical — needs warm humid frost-free conditions, with a defined dry season for best timber quality
- Trees take 25–60 years to reach harvest size on plantation, longer in the wild
- Not reliably hardy outdoors in Canada — Canadian zone values shown represent the system maximum and do not imply garden cultivation north of the warmest coastal pockets.
Categories
Related plants
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