Jelutong
- South East Asia
- Hardwood
- Non-durable
Jelutong (Dyera costulata) is a lightweight tropical hardwood native to Southeast Asia. It is typically pale cream to light straw in colour with a very fine, even texture and a straight, uniform grain. The wood is soft and easy to work, with excellent carving and machining properties, and it holds detail well. However, it has low natural durability and is not resistant to decay or insect attack, meaning it is best suited to dry, interior applications. Its low density also makes it prone to denting and wear under heavy use.
In the timber industry, Jelutong is primarily used for pattern making, model work, carving, moulding prototypes and interior components where precision and ease of shaping are important. It is also used for plywood cores, pencil production and light joinery applications. Because it cuts cleanly and consistently, it has long been favoured in industrial modelling and architectural prototyping, though it is not used for structural or exterior purposes.
Suitable for:
Construction, industrial, engineering
Gun stocks and pattern making
Sculpture, carving, model making and toys
