How to Care for a Teak Tree

Germination

• 1

  Place teak seeds in a burlap bag and soak it in water for 12 hours, ideally with running water. Remove the seeds from the bag and let them dry in the sun for another 12 hours. Repeat these steps every day for 10 to 14 days before sowing.

• 2

  Create a raised bed in full sun. Fill with 2 inches of gravel at the base. Cover the gravel with 14 inches of sand, then 4 inches of a mixture of half peat, half sand. Place the seeds just under the surface of the peat/sand mixture so they are covered, but do not plant them too deeply or they will not germinate.

• 3

  Provide water twice a day to keep the soil evenly moist. Seeds will begin germinating in 10 to 15 days.

Planting and Care

• 4

  Establish a planting location in full sun with well-drained, rich soil that is free of weeds. Incorporate manure or compost, if necessary, to improve nutrient levels and drainage. Break up the soil down to a depth of 20 inches to provide an aerated medium for the fast-growing trees. A pH of 6.5 to 7.5 is ideal for the tree. Teak is usually planted when the seedlings or clones are 4 to 6 weeks old.

• 5

  Dig a series of small holes, sufficient for the root ball of the seedlings, spaced 6 feet apart, and 12 feet between rows, if you are planting multiple trees.

• 6

  Transplant the teak seedlings when they are well-established, about four to six weeks after emergence. Carefully remove each seedling, keeping its roots intact, and place in each hole at the same depth as it was in the seedling bed. Cover the roots with surrounding soil and firm the surface with your hand.

• 7

  Provide 1/2 pound of a balanced fertilizer at the time of planting.

• 8

  Prune the lower leaves of the tree once the trees are established and new leaves appear. Retain the top 1/3 of leaves for a superior quality of wood.

• 9

  Continue pruning the lower branches as the trees grow. To prevent damage to the tree during this process, cut the main branch, leaving 1 foot of stub attached to the trunk. Saw off the remaining stub.

• 10

  Remove weeds regularly, especially during the first few years of the teak tree's life. Teak does not compete well with weeds.

• 11

  Provide regular water to keep the soil evenly moist. A dry environment will stunt the teak tree's growth. Ensure the tree receives an equivalent of 60 to 100 inches of rain every year.