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Overview: Where Suar Wood Comes From and Its Uses
In this post I want to look at the second of our wood overview, the first was an exposé on teak. This time we’re going to turn to suar wood, a lesser-known but no-less-deserving member of the wood family. You’ll see where it grows/is grown, what its distinct characteristics are, and what we typically make out of it.
The Wood And Where It Grows
Suar wood comes from suar trees, large and regal trees that typically grown in tropical regions. They are indigenous to South and Central America, countries such as Brazil, Peru, Panama, and Costa Rica, just to name a few. However, for reasons that we’ll see later in the article, they have been cultivated in other tropical regions, for both their industrial and ornamental value, as well as their possibly positive environmental impact.
Suar trees go by many names, including monkeypod tree, rain tree, and saman tree, and scientifically as Albizia Saman.
The name “monkeypod” is likely associated with the fact that monkeys are known to enjoy the shade provided by the tree’s large, umbrella-like canopy. The broad and spreading crown of the monkeypod tree creates a significant amount of shade, making it an attractive and comfortable spot for various animals, including monkeys, to seek refuge from the sun.
The “rain tree” name is attributed to the behavior of the tree’s leaflets, which fold up during the night or on cloudy days. When it rains, or even when it’s just a dark and overcast day, the leaflets close up, creating the appearance that the tree is responding to the rain.
This unique leaf-folding characteristic is a common feature among many species within the Albizia genus, to which the suar tree belongs. The purpose of this leaf movement is believed to be related to water conservation or protection from herbivores. The closure of the leaflets helps reduce water loss through transpiration during periods of low light or moisture.
Fun fact, suar trees are part of the legume family (Fabaceae), so you can put them in some dark corner of your mind as having an association to chickpeas and lentils in some way! I don’t know if the taste is quite the same though…
Growing Conditions
As mentioned above, Suar trees are tropical trees, and so you’ll want as many/much of the following conditions as possible:
Climate:
- Suar trees are well-suited to tropical climates with warm temperatures. They thrive in areas where temperatures are consistently high throughout the year.
Rainfall:
- Regions with a distinct wet and dry season are necessary. They can tolerate a range of rainfall patterns, but they generally do well in areas with ample rainfall.
Sunlight:
- Suar trees are adapted to full sunlight and typically grow in open areas. They require plenty of sunlight for optimal growth.
Soil Type:
- Suar trees can tolerate a variety of soil types, but they prefer well-draining soils. They are often found in areas with loamy or sandy soils.
pH Level:
- The suar tree is adaptable but generally prefers slightly acidic to neutral soils.
Altitude:
- Suar trees are typically found at lower altitudes, often in lowland tropical regions.
Protection from Frost:
- Suar trees are not frost-tolerant and are susceptible to damage from cold temperatures.
Space for Canopy Growth:
- Suar trees have a wide, spreading crown, and they thrive in areas where they have space to develop this expansive canopy. They are often planted in parks, along streets, or in open landscapes.
Wood Characteristics
So from these monkeypod trees, we get a delightful wood that is being increasingly appreciated in various deployments around the world. Let’s take a look at some of the suar characteristics.
Suar wood typically has a rich, dark brown color. The heartwood (the inner, central part of the tree trunk. It is older, non-living wood that forms as the tree matures) is darker than the sapwood (the outer, living part of the tree trunk, located just beneath the bark), creating a beautiful contrast.
The grain pattern in wood refers to the arrangement, appearance, and direction of the fibers, and suar wood has an attractive and pronounced grain pattern. The grain can be straight, which mean the fibers all run in one direction or slightly interlocked.
Suar has a medium to coarse texture, giving it a natural and rustic feel. This means it may not be as smooth as certain other woods but gives a certain outdoorsy vibe.
Suar is moderately dense and hard, meaning it’s right in the middle of the pack. While it may not be as hard as some hardwoods, it nevertheless provides durability and strength, so you can (and should) still make furniture out of it. Relatedly, the density guides the workability of the wood. Strong wood is durable, but softer wood is easier to modify. Suar wood is generally easy to work with using both hand and machine tools. It responds well to carving and shaping.
Suar wood, like teak, is naturally resistant to decay and insect infestations, which is not only beneficial for the tropical climates in which it grows but also makes it a prime candidate for outdoor furniture. Couple this with relatively good resistance to moisture, and you have a chair that isn’t ruined in the rain.
Suar known for its stability, with minimal movement or warping over time. Proper drying and seasoning can help even more. Drying and seasoning are apparently fairly interchangeable terms referring to how freshly cut wood should be dried before use in order to avoid warping/shrinking and make it easier to work with in general.
Lastly, Suar trees can grow to impressive sizes, and the wood can have large, wide planks. The growth rings are often visible and this is one of the wood’s hallmarks.
Uses
So can we make out of this tree?
First and foremost, suar is popular for crafting furniture, especially large pieces like dining tables, coffee tables, benches, and chairs. The wide planks, attractive grain patterns, and rich color make it easier to create visually striking and unique pieces. As I mentioned, it’s just as suitable for outdoors as indoors, because of the resistances to decay, moisture, and insects
More than just furniture, suar wood is used in interior decor applications such as wall paneling, shelves, and decorative accents. Its natural beauty and again, the distinct grain patterns (you might see a pattern here) contribute to a warm and inviting ambiance.
Artists and sculptors tend to appreciate suar wood for its workability and aesthetic qualities. It is often used to create intricate carvings, sculptures, and art pieces, which makes sense, since if two of the main features are the aesthetic and workability, it seems to be tailor-made for creative pursuits. You might see it used for musical instruments as well, such as drums and percussion instruments, due to its acoustic properties.
At a sort of crossroads between furniture and home decor, you can see woodworkers and craftsmen use suar wood for a variety of smaller items, such as cutting boards, bowls, and other handcrafted items. Again, unique appearance and ease of work are paramount.
Suar wood may be used in the construction of architectural elements, such as doors, window frames, and beams, which some describe as adding to a feeling of elegance. While less common, suar wood can be used for flooring. Its hardness and distinct appearance make it a choice for those looking for something unconventional in their flooring material.
In some regions, suar wood has been used in boat building due to its strength and resistance to water-related issues. Compare this to another popular wood, teak.
Environmentally Friendly?
You might see suar wood marketed as environmentally responsible. This is, of course, a bit more complicated than it originally appears. It is relatively fast-growing, which means that trees can replaced or even added to at a quicker rate, but this isn’t the only factor.
Were any natural forests destroyed in order to create Suar plantations? If so, the initial ecosystem was probably disrupted, if not completely wiped out. This means less biodiversity, i.e. different plants and animals.
How are they managing the plantation and cutting down the trees? How are they transporting the wood? Is the origin point far from the manufacturing point and then how far is that from the distribution point? Some pieces might, by their nature, require long-distance transport but the more you can minimize it, the better.
What are the manufacturing processes? How wasteful are they?
Of course this is a lot to think about and find out just to purchase a chair, but a few questions can go a long way. At the very least, Suar has an advantage over some other woods and materials because it’s relatively durable. The longer a product lasts, the less it needs to be replaced, the less impact on the environment. If you can find out anything else about the sourcing, then you potentially have a quality, ethical product on your hands.
But always do your own, specific research, to the best of your abilities. It’s a skill you can improve and overall it’s worth it for everyone!