The Tree
A fairly large tree, attaining a height of 36m to 42m and a diameter of about 0.6m although some specimens may reach 1.0m or slightly more. The boles are generally straight and cylindrical and clear for about 24m above the large buttresses.

The Timber
The sapwood is yellow to light brown in colour, clearly defined from the heartwood, which is pinkish-brown, but more commonly reddish-brown or dark brown. Planed surfaces are lustrous, and quarter-sawn surfaces are marked with moderately conspicuous reddish flecks caused by the fairly large rays. The grain is straight to shallowly interlocked, and the texture is coarse and fairly even. The wood has a slightly greasy feel, and when fresh, has a slightly unpleasant odour. Ripple marks are commonly present. The wood is moderately hard, and moderately heavy, weighing about 720 kg/m3 when dried.

Drying
Dries fairly easily, but with a tendency to warp and twist.

Strength
Similar to teak in all strength categories.

Working Qualities
Medium - The wood works with moderate ease, but tends to blunt tools, especially saw teeth, fairly quickly. The timber can be planed to a smooth finish but care is needed when planing quarter-sawn material in order to avoid the grain picking up. Mengkulang peels well and glues satisfactorily, but the wood is liable to split when nailed. It is said that the material from Malaysia is slightly more difficult to work than that from Thailand. Mengkulang takes paint and polishes well.