What Is Sheesham Wood?

Size and Shape

• The Shisham tree has a mature height of 45 to 60 feet with a 30- to 40-foot spread. The irregularly shaped crown is open and oval in shape. The tree has a fast growth rate, but requires regular pruning in the early stages to create a strong structure. If not trained properly, the tree branches are highly prone to breakage. The branches are drooping in form and the tree is single-trunked.

Description

• The alternate tree foliage is oddly pinnate and elliptical in shape. The 2- to 4-inch-long semi-evergreen foliage in the form of leaflets is light green in color. The barely visible but highly fragrant white flowers appear in spring and are followed by brown, flat pods typical of plants in the bean family. The pods contain one to four seeds. The pods do not attract any animals.

Wood Properties

• Shisham wood is golden brown to dark brown in color with white to light brown streaked sapwood. The wood is straight grained and often has a coarse texture. Shisham timber is brittle and tends to split at the ends, unless air-dried very carefully. Upon drying, the wood becomes elastic, hard and strong, with low moisture content, making it easy to work with and saw. Shisham wood responds very well to polishing, screwing, gluing and turning.

Uses of Tree and Timber

• The tree itself is used for shade in agroforestry in its native range of Pakistan and India -- for land conservation in eroded grounds, as a soil improver for its ability to fix nitrogen, as windbreaks and ornamental planting and in shelterbelts. The heartwood is a source of a nondrying oil suitable for use in heavy machinery. The value of this timber is nearly the same as teak wood and is also exported. The wood is used in home construction, for doors, shutters and flooring. Other uses include, but are not limited to, boat building, walking sticks, umbrella handles, firewood and paper-making.