Understanding the history of teak lumber

There is a lot of popularity being garnered by teak lumber in Peekskill, NY. Teak is known for its unmatched beauty as well as its impressive durability. This if you really want to be able to appreciate the qualities of this wood, then you have to do much more than just admiring its beauty. You have to take the effort to understand from where does the wood come from and know its history along with all the ethical dilemmas that are involved in the processing of teak wood. This is going to help you make sure that you know what you are purchasing.

The history of Teak Wood

Teak Lumber in Peekskill, NY, is derived from a tropical hardwood tree named as tectona grandis. This tree is native to the Southeast of Asia. Although this wood has been cultivated all around the world, almost one-third of the production of teak wood of the world comes from the country of Burma. Right from the olden ages, teak wood has always been used for the production of outdoor furniture and all other wooden items that will be subjected to the harsh conditions of the weather, such as boat decks.

Teak in the Present times

Currently, the lumber in Peekskill, NY, that is derived from the tropical forests of Southeast Asia is being referred to as "Conflict Teak". The term stems from the fact that this wood adds to the problem of deforestation that is rampant in the area. However, it is the sale of this lumber as well as the sale of precious stones that has helped the Burmese government in funding its operations. Since 1962, this government is being led by some military junta that was then notorious for the acts of human rights violations carried out by them. This compelled the U.S. Government to ban the direct import of this teak wood from Burma, Myanmar. However, since the quality of this wood is the reputation that precedes it, there has always been a high demand for it in the U.S. market despite the political and environmental issues that surround it. This has caused some unethical import of teak wood from Burma even when there is answer to the problem in the form of the renewable teak plantation that are located in Latin America.


Teak lumber available in Peekskill, NY, and other parts of the world are ideal for furniture and flooring purpose. Best in durability and quality, these are offered in flat grain, vertical or mixed grain varieties and are precision-milled, edged or surfaced as per the requirements.