Wood

Working with wood requires some basic knowledge about the material one is dealing with. Different types of wood behave differently, stain differently and so on. These posts provide some tips on a few of the varieties of wood available in India.

Felling Mahogany [courtesy CITES]

Readers' queries on wood are listed at the bottom of this page.

The Excellence of Desi Timbers

So important was timber and its uses in India that a forest products laboratory was set up in Dehra Dun in 1906. In the pre-WW II era it was "the largest, and probably the best equipped of any Forest Research Institute in the world, and the advice and experience of the many specialists employed there are always at the disposal of timber users and others, whether large or small, without any charge." [Trotter 1940] [16 February 2018]

Teak forests of Chattisgarh

Experiments with Maple, Sapele and Padauk
I purchased a few boards of Maple, Sapele and Padauk to see what they were like. All three are very different but beautiful wood species to work. (28 May 2017)

Padauk: A beautiful reddish-orange hued timber

In search of Sheesham
Sheesham (Dalbergia sisso) is a much sought after local species in North India where it is used for making fine furniture, tools and so on. It is widely available in most towns of North India but not in the main timber markets which nowadays rarely keep local timbers. [8 April 2016]

A Timber shop in a small town in Uttar Pradesh

What Wood to Use?
While contemplating a project I often find myself asking what kind of wood I should use? In the past I would lean towards Teak because of its reputation, ease of working, durability, termite resistance and so on. Every cabinet maker and wood shop would urge me to use Teak and only Teak. After a few years of woodworking, however, I am no longer so sure. [19 March 2016]

Pine

Ash

Oak

Forests of the Former Central Provinces
Teak from this region is classified as CP (Central Provinces) teak, which is a favourite in north India. The locals claim that the Teak from the hills of Chhattisgarh is superior to the ones grown on the plains or near rivers. They say that the mineral content of this Teak is higher and this apparently provides a better look to the wood when finished. [10 March 2016]

Chhattisgarh Forest Department Teak Timber

Yellow Cedar
A few weeks ago, on a rainy morning, I drove down to Faridabad's industrial area, making my way through rutted lanes, past enormous container trucks and railway crossings to a furniture factory. Waiting for me were two enormous beams of Yellow Cedar donated to me by the Canadian agency (FII) for promoting British Columbian forest products. [4 August 2015]

Yellow Cedar

Wood - A Haul for the Months Ahead
A couple of days ago I finally made it to the lumber yards 70 km across the city to haul some timber back. The supervisor at the lumber yard said they import “exotic” wood like Oak and Ash only on specific orders. Furniture factories and big time contractors fitting new apartment buildings order these kinds of wood and people like us get to pick up what is left behind, which is often the worst of the lot. [24 November 2014]

Timber for the winter

The Mystery of Bengal Mahogany
During my last few visits to Kolkata I was intrigued to hear from local furniture makers that their timber preference is for Mahogany. I was amazed because Mahogany is a rare and expensive wood which is not readily found in most parts of the world. [31 October 2014]

Bengal Mahogany

Experimenting with Sheesham
Sheesham (scientific name Dalbergia sisoo) is a priced wood in north India and is often confused with the much rarer Indian rosewood (Dalbergia Latifolia). Sisoo or Sheesham is not endangered and is pretty prolific though large straight growing trees are increasingly rare. [7 October 2014]

Sheesham

Delhi’s Vast Timber Market

The north western end of New Delhi is home to what must be the country’s largest timber market. The market is situated in the outskirts of the city along the Rohtak Road at a place called Nangloi.  [20 April 2014]

Delhi lumber shop

Trying Pine
One reason why I have been using Teak despite its cost is the paucity of decent furniture grade wood available in the suburb where I stay. Recently, however, while shopping for some plywood at a local timber store, I spotted some pretty nice looking slabs of Pine, two inches thick, eleven wide and eleven feet long. [19 January 2014]

Sawing Pine

Wood Choices for Hobbyists
There are a few things I look for in wood: first, is it easy to work with? Second, will it endure, or will it crack, split or twist over time? In other words, how stable is it? Third, can the wood withstand load, or will it sag and bend with age? Fourth, will it take stain and polish well? Last but certainly not the least, how beautiful is the wood texture? [09 July 2013]

Pine, Spruce and Other Softwoods come to India
The choice of furniture makers was and to a large extent continues to be Teak. However, that could soon change now that India is importing a large variety of wood. [09/02/2013]

CP Teak

Trouble with Wood (mostly about Teak)
Indian forests yield a wide variety of wood but by far the most popular species is the famous CP (Central Province) Teak, which even today is sourced from the central parts of the country, mainly Madhya Pradesh. This Teak is also sometimes called Nagpur Teak. 27/07/2012

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Selected Readers' Queries

Unknown 06 June, 2016

Marandi wood as used in Delhi for by Builders in new construction the twisting bending happens mainly in monsoon. Is it better than Ivory Coast teak? Thanks and Regards

Indranil Banerjie 07 June, 2016

Meranti is generally not better or more stable than Ivory Coast Teak. But if properly dried Meranti can be a very good timber for door and window frame construction. Problem is there are many grades of Meranti and you need to know if you are getting a good grade.

Vinay Oommen 27 July, 2012

Prices of wood seem much cheaper in Delhi than in the south. Have you any experience with Sheesham wood? I have not seen it in the south as yet, though there are manufacturers on ebay who ship sheesham furniture at attractive prices. I am looking for someone who sells wood online. Though I think that may be just a dream...

Indranil Banerjie 27 July, 2012

As for Sheesham, I have six or seven eight feet long planks drying in my workshop. Plan to get more from Hissar where a friend claims they get good quality Nepali Sheesham. Its an excellent wood, a bit difficult to work but favoured by exporters of traditional furniture based in the Marwar area of Rajasthan (JhunJhunu etc.). I have alas not heard of any online seller of wood in India. Let me know if you find one.

Kittu 10 February, 2013

I guess lot of the SPF is being used for furniture in India. These woods are quite unsuitable for outdoor work in an Indian situation. In wall construction the lumber used is protected by the siding and vapor barrier etc. The exposed wood used needs very elaborate techniques and materials while installing and needs quite rigorous yearly maintenance schedule. Homes in the west need as much attention as one pays to a child. I think it is unlikely that they will succeed in exterior woodwork in India as the techniques and materials used to keep it from getting damaged by elements is not available in India and if it is is simply not practical as people are not used to such rigorous maintenance schedule for homes. Ceder though is quite suitable for outdoor use but tends to warp if used in thinner cross-sections. Maple comes in hard and soft varieties. Heat treated lumber is quite costly in US and availability is low though Heat treatment is used more in Europe.
I feel sad that many exporters from India make bad quality teak furniture for use in US and Europe. The quality of this kind of furniture is pathetic and the consumer and business consider teak as fit for rough and cheap outdoor furniture. Even indoor furniture made with teak is for some reason usually of the heavy and rustic type usually with artificial dings, scratches etc.
I think the the Govt should reduce duties on import of lumber and increase duties on export.

Indranil Banerjie 11 February, 2013

SPF is not used a lot of furniture making or for exterior work. I suspect it is mainly used for partitions, light frames and so on - perhaps as a substitute for Meranti. I personally find Spruce with its long grain a good substitute for plywood in making the inside of drawers. The wood is remarkably stable, light but strong and its white exterior contrasts well when used with a darker wood for the front face. Yes, a lot of furniture made here in India is pretty pathetic but I have come across some incredibly good furniture as well.

Kanika Aggarwal 06 June, 2013

I would request you to please help me with names of some wood working companies dealing with softwood. I have not been able to identify any softwood end user , manufacturing furniture / doors / windows from secondary resources.

Indranil Banerjie 06 June, 2013

Kanika: A number of Indian companies are using softwood like Pine for making furniture, doors and so on. I cannot however point you to any specific company as I am not personally familiar with any. However, you could get all the information you require if you visit Nangloi in Delhi. This place has many large lumber yards dealing with softwood, particularly Pine and Spruce. They could tell you who is using their wood. There are also a few shops selling softwood in Kirti Nagar were you might get the information you need. Best wishes.

Sridhar 12 November, 2013

Where do you buy rubber wood boards? Are they sold in the plywood/glass shops?

Indranil Banerjie 13 November, 2013

Sridhar: In Delhi and its suburbs rubber wood boards are available at most shops that stock plywood and natural wood. The smaller stockists do not always keep them; you might have to search a bit but it should not be difficult to find.
Sridhar 13 November, 2013

Here in Bangalore, I find that stores are of two main types: the first are those that stock block boards, plywood and glass and second are the "timber depots" (those that stock natural wood sold in cubic feet). I always find that the bigger shops do not care much for us hobby woodworkers who buy a couple of boards at a time compared to the big customers who take away wood for a house construction but I will use your advice and go to one of the bigger shops and ask for the rubber wood boards.
Indranil Banerjie 14 November, 2013

Sridhar: Unfortunately you are quite right about the poor attitude of most timber stockists in India; they do not seem to realise that the small buyer eventually buys a lot. As for rubber wood try this website for dealer information: http://rubberboard.org.in. They have a page with the list of dealers in different cities across the country.
Sridhar 15 November, 2013

Thanks Indranil! I found one store here selling 3/4th inch rubber wood board at Rs. 120 per sqft. Is that a comparable figure to what you have paid? I think that is quite steep compared to good quality marine ply. Please correct me if I am wrong. I don't want to get taken for a ride at this store.

Indranil Banerjie 15 November, 2013

Sridhar: I think I paid about Rs 110 per square feet of 3/4 inch rubber wood. Yes, it is more expensive than plywood, the best grade of which is about Rs 100 per square feet. But then plywood requires veneering or painting while rubber wood can be finished directly.Sridhar 15 November, 2013

That's definitely around the same price. Thanks for the prompt response! I agree with you about the finishing - I have an imported dining table made of a finished rubber wood top and it looks really nice.

Vinay Oommen 23 April, 2014

I envy you in Delhi with so many wood buying options. I am right now in Coonoor and visited Sim's park and the Botanical gardens in Ooty and saw for the first time trees that were documented to be more than 130 years old. This makes me value wood much more and also makes me want to conserve wood and be careful with its use just like water and electricity.

Indranil Banerjie 24 April, 2014

Vinay: I share your sentiments totally on the value of trees. We have squandered our precious resource and despite having thousands and thousands of wasteland have not been able to develop our forestry resource. Also, trees like humans must ultimately die and what better way to preserve their memory than to take their wood and craft something beautiful with it.

Solomon 01 November, 2014

I had worked with a seemingly similar wood [toon or Bengal Mahogany], early last year, in my first ever attempt at wood working. I was looking for cheap wood and was guided to a saw mill that deals in "naatu maram"(Tamil - loosely translated to 'country wood') where I found this. The description above closely matches what I had observed. Although planing this wood was not easy, working was quite easy. With barely a few hand tools (other than a power drill) and a multipurpose saw, I was able to make what I had mentally visualized - a crib for my daughter.
Bala CV 01 November, 2014

I too came across the wood very similar to Solomon's. Here it comes under the category called arcot, which in local tongue means local species.

Kingshuk Chakraborty 15 March, 2016

It was my desire to start my first woodworking project as to build a woodworking bench. As I am just a novice and ventured into local lumber yard, I came across something they called "Mahogany". I was quoted a relatively lesser price(750 per cft). I brought few lumbers like 4"X4" 2 7ft for making legs and 3 piece 7 ftX 8 " with 1-1/2" thick for making top. My desired dimension was 6X2 for top and base with 4X2 for base. I brought few pieces for support as well. In my surprise I found these lumber are not immediately usable and needs seasoning. I placed them in roof for few months, exposed to sun and also exposed to rain without. Recently I found cracks are formed and so I decided to take them into my room. With the information you provided here I can infer probably I have brought these species of wood "Toona ciliata".I will provide the pics of these lumbers to you.Is there a way I can fill these cracks?What is the standard method of seasoning if the woods provided are not dry.

Indranil Banerjie 15 March, 2016
It is a nice wood to work when dry but it is soft and may not be the best choice for a hard workbench top. As for drying, air drying is fine but the wood should not be kept in the open; it should be in a covered area, stacked and separated by small pieces of sticks allowing air to freely circulate between the boards. Give it six months to properly dry out before using. Cracks are checks if emanating from the end and should be avoided. Small cracks along the length of the wood are acceptable and could be filled up by various fillers at the finishing stage.

Mayank 29 September, 2015Could you please tell me some timber shops in Delhi? I live near Connaught Place. I don't need anything in bulk. Just 3-4 CFT. of soft wood. Maybe pine or ash.

It looks like Pine. What is difference between pine and cedar ? I am always confuse. I have never seen any cedar wood while I have many pine species in my scraps. I like its texture, grains even knots. Best of luck for a new project. Eager to see what will come out of it.
Indranil Banerjie 29 September, 2015Thanks Mayank. I suggest you go to Kirti Nagar timber market. You can buy as little as you want and can get it cut to the size you want. 

Kishore 05 August, 2015

As for Pine versus Yellow Cedar, the wood of the two are very different. Perhaps the photographs do not show the wood very well. One big difference between Pine and yellow Cedar is that Pine has these very prominent growth lines which are alternately hard and soft while Cedar is very uniform and very very smooth once planed. In all it is a much nicer wood to work than Pine. The colour too is very different although I must add that I have never seen any type of Southern Yellow Pine (SYP) and could not tell how yellow Cedar is by comparison.

Indranil Banerjie 05 August, 2015

Yes, I too am looking forward to seeing how it turns out. Let's hope everything goes smoothly but one can never tell.

Kingshuk Chakraborty 22 March, 2016

Last weekend I was hopping around 10 lumber yards in southern kolkata suburbs for a whole day, and was talking to the owners. They showed and recommended me to use Carpur (Camphor) wood. They charge something like 1400-1600 cft. Also observed most of them are keeping woods from malaysia like karpur, saal etc, for an alternative to pricey one like teak.
Indranil Banerjie 22 March, 2016
Kingshuk, Kapur is pretty popular in these parts as well, again more for making door/wondow frames. But it is a very sturdy wood. The price sounds fine too. Pick it up.