Is It Really Apitong?
February 10, 2024Apitong, or more commonly known in Indonesia as Keruing, is a type of tropical hardwood predominantly found in Southeast Asia. This wood thrives in various regions, including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand. In Indonesia, Apitong is widely distributed across islands such as Kalimantan, Sumatra, Java, Bali, Lombok, and Sumbawa.
Apitong trees can grow to an average height of 65 meters, with trunks that range in color from yellowish-brown to reddish-brown. The surface of Apitong wood tends to be slightly rough to the touch, with a distinctive texture. One of its notable characteristics is the high content of resin and silica, which provides natural protection against pests and extreme weather conditions. Additionally, this resin imparts a distinctive aroma that sets Apitong apart from other types of wood.The natural resin contained in Apitong wood offers exceptional advantages by enhancing the flexibility of trailers, enabling them to support heavy loads optimally.
These characteristics make Apitong highly suitable for heavy-duty applications, such as truck flooring, decking, and other outdoor construction materials. Its resistance to weather and heavy loads, along with its durability against damage, makes Apitong an ideal choice.
What is Brazilian Apitong?
While many believe that Brazilian Apitong is the same type of wood as Apitong, in reality, they are quite different in both characteristics and strength. Brazilian Apitong is actually another name for Angelim Pedra, a wood species from the Amazon region of Brazil and Guyana.
Angelim Pedra (Hymenolobium excelsum) is one of the main wood species available in logging concessions in the Amazon region. This wood has good strength and durability, but technically, Angelim Pedra does not have a high resin content like Apitong. In fact, it virtually lacks sap. Additionally, Angelim Pedra features a smoother texture compared to Apitong, with a lighter golden-brown color.
So, despite the assumption that Brazilian Apitong is the same type of wood as Apitong, the reality is that they are different. Apitong, originating from Southeast Asia, possesses unique strength and characteristics due to its high resin and silica content, whereas Brazilian Apitong, which is actually Angelim Pedra, comes from the Amazon and exhibits different traits in terms of texture, strength, and resin content. It is crucial to understand these differences to avoid making mistakes when selecting wood for construction or other applications.
By understanding these differences, wood users can make more informed choices based on their specific needs, especially for applications requiring extra durability and strength. Based on feedback from our customers, Apitong remains a top choice for wood flooring due to its exceptional strength and durability, which have proven to withstand heavy loads and extreme weather conditions.
Apitong vs Brazilian Apitong (Angelim Pedra)
Apitong trees can grow to an average height of 65 meters, with trunks that range in color from yellowish-brown to reddish-brown. The surface of Apitong wood tends to be slightly rough to the touch, with a distinctive texture. One of its notable characteristics is the high content of resin and silica, which provides natural protection against pests and extreme weather conditions. Additionally, this resin imparts a distinctive aroma that sets Apitong apart from other types of wood.The natural resin contained in Apitong wood offers exceptional advantages by enhancing the flexibility of trailers, enabling them to support heavy loads optimally.
These characteristics make Apitong highly suitable for heavy-duty applications, such as truck flooring, decking, and other outdoor construction materials. Its resistance to weather and heavy loads, along with its durability against damage, makes Apitong an ideal choice.
What is Brazilian Apitong?
While many believe that Brazilian Apitong is the same type of wood as Apitong, in reality, they are quite different in both characteristics and strength. Brazilian Apitong is actually another name for Angelim Pedra, a wood species from the Amazon region of Brazil and Guyana.
Angelim Pedra (Hymenolobium excelsum) is one of the main wood species available in logging concessions in the Amazon region. This wood has good strength and durability, but technically, Angelim Pedra does not have a high resin content like Apitong. In fact, it virtually lacks sap. Additionally, Angelim Pedra features a smoother texture compared to Apitong, with a lighter golden-brown color.
So, despite the assumption that Brazilian Apitong is the same type of wood as Apitong, the reality is that they are different. Apitong, originating from Southeast Asia, possesses unique strength and characteristics due to its high resin and silica content, whereas Brazilian Apitong, which is actually Angelim Pedra, comes from the Amazon and exhibits different traits in terms of texture, strength, and resin content. It is crucial to understand these differences to avoid making mistakes when selecting wood for construction or other applications.
By understanding these differences, wood users can make more informed choices based on their specific needs, especially for applications requiring extra durability and strength. Based on feedback from our customers, Apitong remains a top choice for wood flooring due to its exceptional strength and durability, which have proven to withstand heavy loads and extreme weather conditions.
Apitong vs Brazilian Apitong (Angelim Pedra)
| Category | Apitong | Angelim Pedra |
| Common Name | Keruing, Apitong | Angelim pedra |
| Scientific Name | Dipterocarpus spp. | Dinizia excelsa |
| Distribution | Asia Tenggara (Indonesia, Philipina, Thailand, and Malaysia) | Primarily Brazil and Guyana in South America |