Durian

Coelostegia spp., Durio spp. & Neesia spp.

Durian is the name given to the timber of a wide group of trees which are mostly cultivated for their fruit and fibres. These large hardwoods are native to mainland Malaysia with some occurrence in Burma and Indonesia and are found in lowland swamp and mixed forest areas. After fruiting in the early stages of their growth they reach a height of about 50 metres.

The timber is generally easy to work although due to the variety of species some pieces may be difficult to finish. It dries quickly although again because of the many species some have a tendency to cup which can be overcome by weighting during the drying process, the timber takes nails and glues well and is a good veneer.

Heartwood is pinkish-brown, red-brown to deep red-brown with some of the species having an orange tinge. The sapwood is paler, generally a lighter brown but difficult to distinguish and is susceptible to lyctid borer. The texture is medium to coarse and uneven in some of the species, with the grain straight to slightly interlocked.

Durian is not a very widely used timber specie however in it's areas of occurrence it is used for light joinery, packing cases, tea chests, furniture, toy making and craft.

In Australia it has been accepted as a reasonably priced alternative to Australian Red Cedar because of the colour and so is used for interior joinery, mouldings and light furniture.

Timber Properties

Density (average)

640kg/m3 dry

Durability: Class 3

Strength Group

S4 green

SD4 dry

Hardness Rating (average)

(Provisional)

3.0kN green

3.3kN dry