Teak
Tectona grandis
Teak is a tall, straight deciduous tree with very large leaves, famous for its durable, golden-brown timber. It is planted on farms and estates as a long-term investment and also gives shade in large gardens.
Photo: Forest & Kim Starr · CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Essential Care Requirements
Light
Full sun
Watering
Moderate
Water young trees regularly in dry months; mature trees rely on rainfall.
Soil
Deep, well-drained, fertile soil; pH 6.5–7.5. It does not tolerate waterlogging.
Temperature and humidity
5–45 °C · Moderate humidity
Feeding
Feed young trees with compost and a balanced fertilizer before the monsoon.
Pruning and propagation
Propagate by seed, stem cuttings
Remove low side branches to grow a long, straight trunk.
Not toxic, but teak sawdust can irritate skin and airways.
Top Cultivation Tips
Plant root-trainer stumps at the start of the monsoon.
Check local rules before felling.
Leaves give a red dye when crushed.
Leave space; it is a forest tree.
Common problems
Caterpillars
The larvae of moths and butterflies, which chew holes in leaves, flowers and fruit and can strip a plant in days.
How to treat it →DiseaseLeaf spot
Fungal or bacterial infections that cause brown, black or purple spots on leaves, often with a yellow halo, leading to early leaf drop.
How to treat it →PestTermites
Soil-dwelling social insects that eat roots and the base of stems, killing seedlings and weakening trees.
How to treat it →
