Ulin Wood

The tree is known as Ulin or Bulian in Indonesia. The timber is monotypic. The sapwood is bright yellow when fresh, darkens on exposure and is sharply defined from the heartwood which is light brown to almost bright yellow when fresh and darkens on exposure to deep reddish brown, becoming very dark brown or almost black with age.

SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION BOTANICAL NAME: Eusideroxylon zwageri. COMMON NAME: Borneo Ironwood (European Union); Bulian, Onglen, Tebelian, Bulian (Malaysia and Brunei); Biliran, Sakian and Tambulian (Philippines). DENSITY: The timber is exceptionally hard and heavy and it has been classified under Heavy Hardwood with a density of 835-1,185 kg/m3 air dry. NATURAL DURABILITY: The timber is one of the most durable in the world. PRESERVATIVE TREATMENT : The heartwood is extremely resistant to preservative treatment. TEXTURE: Texture is moderately fine to fine and even with grain fairly straight or shallowly interlocked. STRENGTH PROPERTIES: The timber falls into Strength Group A (Burgess, 1958) or SG 2 (MS 544: Part 2:2001). MACHINING PROPERTIES: It is easy to work despite its high density and produces a smooth and often lustrous surface. AIR DRYING: The timber seasons slowly with a tendency for checking and splitting. SHRINKAGE: Shrinkage averages 4.5%. COMMON USES: The timber is suitable for all heavy constructional works, marine construction, boat construction, fence posts, heavy duty industrial flooring, decking, fender supports, telegraph and power transmission posts and cross arms, mallets, shingles, columns (heavy duty) and other works where high strength and durability are required.