Ceiba pentandra plant is a producer of kapok wood or better known as kapok tree or silk cotton. In the territory of Indonesia this tree can be found easily. The population of kapok trees is quite large because this tree is deliberately cultivated by the community and becomes one of the industrial plant commodities .
Features of Randu Wood
The kapok tree is a group of large and tall trunked plants. This type of tree can grow with a height of 8 meters to 30 meters and the size of the trunk diameter can reach 3 meters. The texture of the bark of the kapok tree is prickly and slightly sharp.
This plant also has fruit that is oval and tapered at the end. The pods are usually 10 cm to 30 cm in size. The fruit will turn brown when it is ripe. Inside the fruit there are seeds and fibers like white cotton. Here are some characteristics of the kapok tree:
- The trunk has a greenish tint.
- The weight of the wood is very light.
- The texture of the wood is relatively soft compared to other types of wood.
- Easily attacked by termites or other insects.
- Not resistant to moist air and water.
Price and Uses of Randu Wood
The price of kapok wood is very affordable, usually selling for IDR 4,000 to IDR 7,000 per board. This wood is usually found in building shops in the form of wooden planks. Then what are the uses? Here are some uses of kapok or kapok wood.
Can be processed into materials for making wooden boards
1. As Raw Material for Plywood and Pulp
Although it is not recommended to be used for heavy building construction because it is classified as a type of soft wood. Behind its weaknesses, kapok wood turns out to have its own uses. This wood is often used as raw material for making plywood and pulp for paper.
2. Processed into Wooden Board Products
Besides being used as a material for making plywood and paper pulp. This wood is also used as a wooden board product. Wooden boards made of kapok wood are usually used for light needs. Given that this type of wood does not have good resilience and strength.
3. Used for Retaining Castings or Formwork
Who says that kapok wood can’t be used as a building material? In fact, this wood can be used for retaining castings or as a formwork. The use of this wood as formwork because the price is quite cheap and easily available in the market.
In addition, the casting process does not require a good type of wood. Moreover, castings retaining boards are usually only used once. So it’s a shame to use expensive types of wooden boards to be used as formwork.
4. As Raw Material for Textile Industry
In addition to the wood, the fruit of the kapok tree is the main commodity for the people who cultivate it. Kapok farmers will usually harvest the kapok fruit and sell it to collectors. This kapok or kapok fruit is used in various industrial fields. Including the furniture industry to the electronics industry.
However, it is mainly used in the textile industry. The fiber in the kapok fruit is used as the main material for making yarn. Meanwhile, in the furniture industry, cottonwood fiber is used for stuffing sofa cushions, mattresses, mattresses, and upholstery. In the activities of the electronics industry, cottonwood fiber is used as a heat insulator and sound absorber.
5. As a Medicine for Various Diseases
In addition to the wood and fruit, the leaves of the kapok tree can also be used as medicine to cure various diseases. The leaves of the kapok tree are thought to be able to treat mild to severe diseases.
Some minor ailments that can be treated using randu leaves include heartburn, canker sores, thinning phlegm when coughing, healing scars, and helping maintain eye health. Some of the serious diseases in question are indigestion, dysentery, ulcers, and hemorrhoids.
That’s a complete discussion about kapok wood that you already know. Hopefully it can add knowledge and be useful.