Selangan Batu, Yellow Balau, Balau,

Bangkirai, Alan

Shorea spp.( heavy hardwoods)

There are many different subspecies of Shorea grouped here, the most common being: albida, glauca, laevifolia and laevis. These species are very common throughout Malaysia and Indonesia with some in the Philippines, all being large hardwoods growing within a range of 30 to 60 metres high.

The timber is dense but contains little silica and is therefore relatively easy to work although some adjustment to saws and machine knives may be required on long runs if a good surface finish is required. The timber of all species are very similar with the heartwood yellow brown, reddish brown and sometimes purplish brown and will darken with age.

The sapwood is usually very distinct being much lighter usually pale yellow.

The texture is fine to medium and even with the grain wavy and interlocked. Shrinkage rates are medium to low and all species are considered to be lyctid borer susceptible.

Balau has been widely used in South East Asia as a heavy construction timber as well as window joinery, boat building, beer and wine casks and in some cases veneer.

In Australia the timber has been regularly used for domestic decking and flooring, stair manufacture and window and door sills.

Note: Another group of Shorea spp. called Red Balau are sometimes offered as an alternative, these timber are slightly lighter in Density and of lower durability and should therefore be avoided for exposed external applications. Heartwood is usually a deep red-brown with the sapwood much lighter and easy to distinguish.

Timber Properties

Density (average)

1000 kg m3 green

900 kg m3 dry

Durability: Class 2

Strength Group

S2 green

SD3 dry

Hardness Rating (average)

(Provisional)

8.0 kN green

9.0 kN dry