Sagwan (Teak) – Detailed Information

Local Indian Name: Hindi: सागवान (Sagwan), Tamil: தேக்கு மரம் (Thekku Maram), Malayalam: തീക്ക് (Thekku), Telugu: తిక్కు చెట్టు (Teak Chettu), Kannada: ತೀಕ್ ಮರ (Teek Mara), Bengali: সেগুন গাছ (Segun Gachh), Assamese: চেগুন গছ (Segun Gos)

Scientific Name: Tectona grandis

Family: Lamiaceae (formerly Verbenaceae)

Category: Hardwood Timber Tree- Subcategory: Deciduous Tree

Native Region:

• Indigenous to: India, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Indonesia

• Grown in: India (Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Tripura, and Nagaland)

Introduction:

Sagwan (Tectona grandis), commonly known as teak, is one of the most valuable hardwood timber trees in the world. It is known for its high-quality, durable wood, used in furniture, shipbuilding, and construction. The tree is fast-growing under managed plantations and has high commercial demand due to its resistance to termites, water, and extreme weather conditions.

Importance & Benefits:

• High-Quality Timber: Used in luxury furniture, doors, flooring, and shipbuilding.

• Natural Durability: Resistant to termites, decay, and water damage.

• Fast Growth: In suitable conditions, it can grow up to 25–30 meters in height.

• Economic Value: A mature Sagwan tree fetches high prices in the timber market.

• Soil Enrichment: Leaves decompose and improve soil fertility.

• Carbon Sequestration: Helps in reducing carbon dioxide levels and supports the environment.

Description and Cultivation:

• Height: Can grow up to 30–40 meters under ideal conditions.

• Trunk: Straight with light brown bark that peels off in flakes.

• Leaves: Large, green, and leathery, turning yellow before shedding.

• Flowers: Small, white, and fragrant, blooming in clusters.

• Seeds: Hard, oval, and used for propagation.

Varieties and Cultivars:

• Indian Teak (Tectona grandis var. grandis): Best quality timber with dense wood.

• Nagpur Teak: Fast-growing variety from Maharashtra.

• Burma Teak: Considered the highest quality due to its fine grain and durability.

• CP Teak (Central Province Teak): Grown in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

Location and Light:

• Requires full sunlight for optimal growth.

• Grows best in tropical and subtropical climates.

• Suitable for altitudes up to 1000 meters above sea level.

Soil Preparation:

• Prefers deep, well-drained, loamy, or sandy soil.

• Soil pH: 6.5 to 7.5 (neutral to slightly acidic).

• Avoid waterlogged or heavy clay soils.

• Plow and prepare soil with organic manure before planting.

Planting:

• Best Season: June to September (monsoon season).

• Spacing: 3 x 3 meters (approximately 1100 plants per hectare).

• Pit Size: 45 cm x 45 cm x 45 cm, filled with topsoil and compost.

Watering:

• Requires frequent watering in the first 2–3 years.

• Once established, the tree is drought-tolerant.

• During dry seasons, irrigation is required every 15 days.

Pruning:

• Regular pruning improves straightness of the trunk.

• Remove weak and lower branches to enhance timber quality.

Pest and Disease Management:

• Common Pests:

  • Teak Defoliator (Hyblaea puera) – Controlled with neem oil sprays.

  • Teak Skeletonizer (Eutectona machaeralis) – Managed using biological control.

• Common Diseases:

  • Root Rot: Avoid waterlogging; treat with fungicides.

  • Leaf Spot: Controlled with copper-based fungicides.

• Preventive Measures:

  • Keep plantation weed-free.

  • Use organic fertilizers to improve plant resistance.

Environmental Conditions:

• Climate: Warm and humid tropical conditions.

• Temperature: 25°C to 38°C is ideal.

• Rainfall: 1200–2500 mm annually.

• Humidity: Prefers high humidity during the growing phase.

Propagation:

• Seeds: Traditional method but has low germination rate.

• Tissue Culture: Used for high-quality, fast-growing clones.

• Clonal Propagation: Produces uniform, high-yielding trees.

Uses:

Timber Uses:

• High-end furniture and interiors.

• Shipbuilding and marine applications (resistant to water damage).

• Doors, windows, and flooring.

• Plywood and veneers.

Environmental Uses:

• Reforestation projects.

• Windbreaks and erosion control.

Industrial Uses:

• Teakwood oil extract used in wood polishing.

Monetary Benefits:

• Teak Timber Price: ₹5,000–₹12,000 per cubic foot (depends on quality).

• Economic Life: Harvesting begins after 15–20 years, with full maturity at 30–40 years.

• Annual ROI: Around 15–25% per year in commercial plantations.

• Land Value Appreciation: Increases land value significantly over time.

• High-Demand Export Wood: India exports teak timber to global markets.

References:

1. Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE)

2. Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun

3. Rubber & Teakwood Growers Association

4. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Reports

5. National Research Centre for Agroforestry