Sesendok

Sesendok Wood: Versatile and Lightweight for Various Applications

Introduction
Sesendok is the Standard Malaysian Name for the wood derived from Endospermum spp. Known for its light yellow color and even texture, it is widely available across Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak. Sesendok wood is lightweight and moderately easy to work with, making it suitable for a wide range of applications, from match splints to furniture.

Key Characteristics

• Density: Classified as a Light Hardwood, Sesendok has a density of 305-655 kg/m³ when air-dried, making it lightweight and easy to handle.

• Durability: The wood is non-durable and susceptible to fungal infections and insect attacks if not treated.

• Strength: Sesendok falls under Strength Group D, making it moderately strong and suitable for light construction and decorative uses.

• Machining: It is easy to saw, plane, and machine, producing a smooth surface ideal for fine craftsmanship.

Applications

Sesendok wood is highly versatile and used in both commercial and decorative projects:

• Match Splints & Boxes: Due to its lightness, Sesendok is widely used for manufacturing match splints and packaging.

• Furniture: Its smooth finish and ease of machining make Sesendok an excellent choice for lightweight furniture.

• Plywood & Crates: Suitable for making packing boxes and plywood due to its favorable strength-to-weight ratio.

• Toys & Ornaments: Often used for crafting toys, wooden clogs, and small decorative items like chopsticks and toothpicks.

Drying & Shrinkage

• Air Drying: Sesendok dries relatively quickly with minimal defects, taking about 2-3 months depending on board thickness.

• Kiln-Drying: Recommended drying using Kiln Schedule J, which ensures fast drying in approximately 5 days with minimal degrade.

• Shrinkage: Sesendok wood has low shrinkage rates, with radial shrinkage averaging 1.2% and tangential shrinkage at 1.3%, ensuring dimensional stability.

Conclusion

With its lightweight nature, ease of workability, and smooth finish, Sesendok wood is ideal for a variety of applications, ranging from match production to furniture making. Its versatility and ease of treatment make it a valuable choice for industries seeking a reliable and easy-to-handle wood solution.

INTRODUCTION

The Standard Malaysian Name for the timber of Endospermum spp. (Euphorbiaceae). Only one species, viz. E. diadenum, occurs in Peninsular Malaysia, while in Sabah and Sarawak there is another species, E. peltatum. Vernacular names applied include ekor belangkas (Sarawak), inchong Perlis (Kedah), membulan (Peninsular Malaysia), sendok (Sabah), sendok-sendok (Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak), sendok-sendok mata (Sabah) and terbulan (Sarawak). The sapwood is not differentiated from the heartwood, which is bright yellow when fresh, often with a green tinge and darkens to light brown on exposure.

Also known as Sesendok (Brunei); Kavula and Lekutu (Fiji); Bakota (India); Kayu labu, Membulan and Sendok-sendok (Indonesia); Basswood and Tau (Papua New Guinea); Gubas (Philippines); Endospermum-sasa and Hongopo (Soloman Islands); and Famo, Lokhao and Taphong (Thailand).

DENSITY

The timber is a Light Hardwood with a density of 305-655 kg/m3 air dry.

NATURAL DURABILITY

Based on the standard graveyard test of untreated specimens of dimensions 50 mm x 50 mm x 600 mm, the wood is classified as non-durable under Malaysian conditions. In a test conducted at the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), the average service life for 29 untreated specimens was 1 year (Jackson, 1965). When green, the timber is liable to blue-stain fungal infection.

PRESERVATIVE TREATMENT

The timber is very amenable to preservative treatment and is classified as extremely easy to treat.

TEXTURE

Texture is rather coarse but even with spiral, shallowly interlocked or slightly wavy grain.

STRENGTH PROPERTIES

The timber falls into Strength Group D (Engku, 1988b) or SG 7 (MS 544: Part 2:2001). 

Strength Properties of Sesendok

MACHINING PROPERTIES

It is easy to saw and plane and produces a smooth surface.

Machining Properties of Sesendok

NAILING PROPERTY

Nailing property is excellent.

AIR DRYING

The timber seasons fairly rapidly without serious degrade except for some insect attacks. 13 mm thick boards take 2 months to air dry, while 38 mm thick boards take 3 months.

KILN-DRYING

Kiln Schedule J is recommended. 25 mm thick boards take approximately 5 days to kiln-dry to 10% moisture content without any degrade.

Kiln Schedule J

SHRINKAGE

Shrinkage is low, with radial shrinkage averaging 1.2% and tangential shrinkage averaging 1.3%. 

DEFECTS

The logs are usually reasonably sound but small areas of spongy heart may occur. Severe borer damage as well as staining will occur if there is delay in extracting felled logs (Desch, 1941; Smith, 1957).

USES

The timber is a favoured species for the manufacture of match splints and boxes. The timber is also suitable for pattern making, drawing boards, plywood, packing boxes and crates, toys, wooden clogs, disposable chopsticks, pencil, ladies shoe sole, tooth picks and furniture.