Family: Shorea Negrosensis
Origin: Southeast Asia, including the Philippine islands, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
Common Names: Meranti or Luan
The Tree: Meranti (Philippine Mahogany) traditionally grows up to 200 feet with a trunk that is 6 feet in diameter in well-drained soils at low altitudes. The bases of some of these trees feature vane-like supports called buttresses. Buttresses are large, wide roots on all sides of a shallowly rooted tree.
Appearance of Wood: Light-red and dark- red Meranti produces medium to coarse-textured wood ranging in color from pale pink to brown and reddish-brown. The grain may be slightly interlocked.
Density: Average reported specific gravity ranges from .55 to .68 with an air-dried weight of 36 pounds per cubic foot. Janka Hardness is 800 pounds of force. Meranti is considered a soft to firm hardwood.
Drying and Shrinkage: Meranti is not subject to warping or twisting, making it useful for a wide variety of projects. Shrinkage values are 4.1% Radial, 7.8% Tangential, 12.6% Volumetric. Meranti is reported to dry rapidly and dry very well with little degradation.
Working Properties: Meranti is considered one of the easiest hardwoods to work with. Meranti machines, cuts, mills, and sands well. Due to the presence of a certain amount of silica in the wood, Meranti can have a dulling effect on tools. The straight-grain composition of Meranti is friendly to planers and surfacers. The occasional interlocking grain does cause tear-outs. After Meranti is milled and sanded, it will readily accept stain and finish.
Durability: Meranti has little or no resistance to insects or decay.
Uses: Meranti can be used for molding, structural purposes, furniture, cabinets, window and door trim, and veneers for plywood.
Availability: Meranti is widely harvested and is available worldwide. Home centers and lumber retailers’ stock Meranti in a variety of thicknesses.