Gelam wood is also known as dolken wood. This type of wood is produced from the gelam tree which usually grows up to 12 meters. The trunk of this tree consists of layers of grayish white. Therefore this wood is also widely known as eucalyptus. The surface of the bark looks like peeling and irregular.
The flowers on the gelam tree are shaped like a yellowish-white bell. This tree also produces brown fruit. The seeds of the fruit are yellow, smooth, and very light like husks. Most people mention pepper bolong and it is believed that it can be used as traditional medicine. To find out more about gelam wood, here is an explanation of its characteristics and advantages and disadvantages.
Characteristics of Gelam Wood
This wood is also dubbed eucalyptus because basically this wood has a bright color characteristic, namely grayish white. This eucalyptus or gelam occupies class II for its strength. So do not be surprised if this wood is often used for building construction needs.
However, for the level of durability, this wood is in class III, so it cannot last too long. For this reason, this wood requires special care to make it more durable and avoid wood diseases. This wood is classified as a rather difficult wood to process. So it takes expertise and accuracy in processing the wood.
Advantages of Dolken Wood
Gelam wood has several advantages that make it much sought after by the public. Here are some of the advantages of this wood:
1. Have a High Selling Value
White wood or gelam is a type of wood that is sold at a fairly high price in the market. So that many people make a large-scale flight against the gelam tree.
2. Has Water Resistant Properties
This grayish white wood is a type of wood that has good resistance to water. This is because the gelam tree usually grows in swampy areas. These advantages make this wood widely used in bridge buildings or in buildings that are prone to being exposed to water.
3. Including Types of Wood that are Termite and Mildew Resistant
Although it is in class III in terms of durability, this wood is classified as wood that is quite resistant to termites and fungi . That’s because in this wood there are natural oils that can repel termites. Its water-resistant nature makes this wood not easy to mold when in humid places.
4. Strong and Sturdy Type of Wood
Eucalyptus is a type of wood that is strong and sturdy. It is evident from the level of his strength which is in class II. The strength of this wood is almost equivalent to teak which is in the same class in terms of strength. So do not be surprised if it is often used as a home support material.
Disadvantages of Dark Wood Types
Behind these advantages, this wood also has disadvantages. Here are the disadvantages of the wood:
1. The size tends to be small
It is rare to find large-diameter gelam wood due to large-scale logging by the community. Without being accompanied by good cultivation. So it is very difficult to find the size of the gelam tree that has a large trunk diameter.
2. Including Types of Plants That Are Difficult to Cultivate
Gelam tree is a type of plant that is rather difficult to cultivate because it can only grow in swampy areas, such as in Kalimantan where there are many swamps. Even in the modern era like now. There is still no way to cultivate the gelam tree. So that their habitat begins to decrease and is threatened with extinction.
With the reduced habitat of the gelam tree, let’s work together to maintain its sustainability. By replacing gelam wood with another type of wood that has the same quality.