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Teak Wood Harvest — How to Fell and Process Teak Wood from Java
English
KangMasdji

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KangMasdji

23. April 2026ID
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Teak Wood Harvest — How to Fell and Process Teak Wood from Java

Java Island has the oldest teak forests (Tectona grandis) in the world, managed since the Dutch colonial era around the 1600s. Currently Perhutani (Perum Perhutani) manages the state teak forests in Java. Javanese teak wood is famous throughout the world because of its excellent quality — resistant to termites, resistant to water, and durable for hundreds of years.

This blueprint explains how to fell and process teak wood from selecting mature trees to the drying and storage process. Good quality teak wood for furniture must be 40-80 years old so that the heartwood has grown perfectly. The heartwood is golden brown in color, rich in natural oils (tectoquinone) that make the wood resistant to termites and not easily rotting. This blueprint is divided into 14 sequential steps.

Advanced
2-4 days per tree

Instructions

1

Teak Wood Species (Tectona grandis)

Teak wood (Tectona grandis) belongs to the Lamiaceae family, originating from Southeast Asia. Teak wood can reach heights of 30-40 meters when mature. Its leaves are large (30-60 cm long), resembling tobacco leaves, and fall during the dry season (teak is a deciduous tree). The flowers are small and white, appearing during the rainy season. The bark is rough and ranges in color from gray to brown. Teak wood has two main layers: heartwood which is golden brown in color and sapwood which is lighter in color. The heartwood contains natural tectoquinone oil which makes the wood resistant to termites and water resistant.

2

Select Mature Trees for Felling

Teak wood that is best for furniture must be 40-80 years old. At this age the heartwood has grown perfectly and the proportion of heartwood is greater than sapwood. Signs of trees that are ready to be felled: stem diameter at breast height (DBH, diameter at breast height) minimum 30-40 cm, tree bark is rough and cracked, and the tree is no longer growing tall (has reached maximum height). Perhutani uses a rotation cycle (rotation cycle) of 60-80 years. Younger trees can be felled for building timber, but the quality is not as good as old wood.

Tools needed:

Diameter Tape (forestry measuring tape)Diameter Tape (forestry measuring tape)
3

Girdling (ring-barking) for preparation

Girdling (ring-barking) is the process of cutting the bark around the entire trunk with a width of 10-15 cm, removing the cambium layer. This process is carried out 1-2 years before felling. The purpose is for the wood to gradually lose water and sap, becoming lighter and drier when felled. Girdled wood is easier to dry and cracks less during the drying process. Girdling is done in the dry season when sap flow is at its lowest. Cut the bark carefully using an axe or machete — do not cut into the wood itself, only remove the bark and cambium.

Tools needed:

Forestry AxeForestry Axe
Machete (bendo)Machete (bendo)
4

Determine the right time to fell

Felling teak is best done in the dry season (June-September in Java) when the water content in the wood is at its lowest. During the dry season, teak trees have shed their leaves and sap flow has stopped. Wood felled in the dry season dries faster, cracks less, and is more resistant to termites than wood felled during the rainy season. Do not fell during heavy rain or when the ground is wet — there is danger of slipping and the wood gets dirty easily.

5

How to fell a teak tree

Before felling, determine the directional fall of the tree. Observe the wind direction, the natural lean of the tree, and the available clear space for it to fall. Make a directional notch on the side where you want the tree to fall: a lower undercut at a 45-degree angle and a horizontal undercut, forming a triangular notch approximately one-third of the trunk diameter. Then make the back cut from the opposite side, slightly higher than the base of the directional notch. The remaining wood between the notch and back cut acts as a hinge controlling the direction of fall. Use wedges to help direct the fall. Everyone must be clear of the danger zone before the tree falls.

Materials for this step:

Wooden Felling WedgeWooden Felling Wedge2 pieces

Tools needed:

Chainsaw (professional forestry grade)Chainsaw (professional forestry grade)
Forestry AxeForestry Axe
SledgehammerSledgehammer
6

Cutting into logs (cross-cutting)

After the tree has fallen, cut the trunk into logs of the required sizes. Standard log length is typically 2-4 meters for furniture, or longer for construction timber. Measure and mark with chalk before cutting. Cut at points with large branch junctions and where there are defects (knots, bends). Branches and small limbs are cut for firewood or charcoal. Each log is marked with a sequential number and its dimensions for record-keeping.

Materials for this step:

Forestry Marking ChalkForestry Marking Chalk1 piece

Tools needed:

Chainsaw (professional forestry grade)Chainsaw (professional forestry grade)
Log Measuring TapeLog Measuring Tape
7

Removing the bark (debarking)

The bark is removed from the logs to speed up the drying process and prevent insects that like to live under the bark. Use a machete or drawknife to remove the bark. Teak bark is fairly thick (1-2 cm) so it requires extra effort. Removing the bark while the wood is still fresh is easier than when it has dried. Teak bark can be used for traditional roofing material or shredded into mulch.

Tools needed:

Drawknife (bark spud)Drawknife (bark spud)
Machete (bendo)Machete (bendo)
8

Distinguishing heartwood and sapwood

On the cross-section of a log, two layers of different color can be seen. The heartwood is in the center, ranging from golden brown to dark brown, and contains natural oil (tectoquinone) that makes it resistant to termites and water. The sapwood is on the outer edge, lighter in color (yellow to light brown), and is not termite-resistant. For high-quality furniture, only heartwood is used. Sapwood can be used for indoor construction or protected dry boards. The proportion of heartwood increases with the age of the tree — which is why older trees are more expensive.
9

Preparing the drying yard (stacking yard)

Choose a flat, dry area with good air circulation for the drying yard. The ground should be hardened or have a foundation to prevent moisture. Build a foundation from beams or stones at least 30-40 cm above the ground so the logs do not absorb moisture from below. The drying yard should have a roof or cover to protect from direct rain and direct sunlight — direct heat causes the wood to crack. Air must flow freely through the wood stacks.

Materials for this step:

Concrete Foundation BlockConcrete Foundation Block8 pieces
10

Wood Stack Arrangement for Natural Drying (Air Drying)

Logs or boards are arranged by inserting stickers (wooden separators) between each layer. Stickers are usually sized 2x2 cm or 3x3 cm, made from dry wood that has been treated with anti-fungal. The distance between stickers is approximately 60-90 cm. Stickers must be arranged straight vertically from bottom to top so that the weight is evenly distributed and does not bend. Natural drying (air drying) of teak wood requires 6-12 months depending on the thickness of the wood and weather conditions. The target moisture content is 12-15% for furniture. Each cubic meter of dry teak wood weighs approximately 640-720 kilograms.

Materials for this step:

Wooden Sticker (drying spacer, 2x2 cm)Wooden Sticker (drying spacer, 2x2 cm)30 pieces
11

Monitoring the drying process

During the drying process, inspect the wood regularly every 2-4 weeks. Look for end checking (cracks at the ends) — this is normal, but if cracks are large, coat the log ends with wax or paint to reduce cracking. Look for signs of fungus (blue or green on the surface) — if found, increase air circulation and reduce humidity. Measure moisture content with a moisture meter — insert the pins into the wood and read the display. Wood is ready for use when moisture content reaches 12-15%.

Materials for this step:

End Sealer (paraffin wax)End Sealer (paraffin wax)1 kg

Tools needed:

Pin-Type Wood Moisture MeterPin-Type Wood Moisture Meter
12

Grading log quality

After drying, logs are classified by quality. Grade A (best): dominant heartwood, straight grain, no knots or defects, even color — for premium furniture. Grade B: small knots or slightly wavy grain, still good for general furniture. Grade C: many knots, uneven grain, or high proportion of sapwood — for construction. Factors affecting grade: heartwood vs sapwood proportion, number and size of knots, grain straightness, color, and extent of cracking. Grade A teak can be priced 2-3 times higher than Grade C.
13

Storing dried teak wood

Dried teak wood is stored in a covered, dry warehouse with good air circulation. Continue using stickers between layers so air can flow. Do not stack wood directly on the ground — use pallets or foundations at least 20-30 cm high. Maintain warehouse humidity at 50-60% and temperature at 15-25 degrees Celsius. Teak wood already contains natural tectoquinone that is anti-termite, but still protect from water or high humidity that can cause fungus. Properly stored teak wood can last for many years without damage.

Tools needed:

Wooden Storage PlatformWooden Storage Platform
Hygrometer (humidity gauge)Hygrometer (humidity gauge)
14

Understanding legal aspects and sustainability

In Java, all state teak forests are managed by Perhutani (Perum Perhutani) under the Forestry Law. Felling teak without a permit is a criminal offense of illegal logging. To fell teak from state forests, you must have an SKSHH (Certificate of Legality of Forest Products) or SVLK (Timber Legality Verification System) documents. Teak from community plantations can be felled with a permit from the village government. Selective logging and reforestation are important for preserving teak forests. Every felled tree must be replaced by planting new seedlings. FSC or PEFC certification adds market value to the timber internationally.

Materials

5

Tools Required

10

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