Albizia saman

Most tree slab tables we import are made of the species albizia saman. This species is widespread throughout the tropical area, but nevertheless it is not native in South East Asia. Albizia saman originates from South and Central America. Several centuries ago, the tree was introduced in other countries with a suitable climate, like Thailand.

These trees do not exist in the natural rainforest. On the contrary, the trees are usually planted along roads and in parks.

Besides albizia saman Xyleia Natural Interiors sell consoles and coffee tables of rosewood and teak. These furniture pieces are made from the root system of the tree, and not the trunk.

Our tree slab tables come from Thailand. The trees are often cut into slabs on the spot. These slabs are easier to transport than a complete trunk, which can weigh many tons.

Yes, we can always prove that every table that we import is produced sustainably. We buy mainly from one reliable supplier whose administration is in perfect order. They always know where the tree came from, who felled it, with which license, how the tree is transported, etc.

We work exclusively with legally harvested timber produced in a sustainable manner.

No, to the Thai “Forest Department”, the organization that deals with the protection of forests in Thailand, the albizia saman looks rather like an unwanted guest, who takes up the space of indigenous species like teak and palissander.

Xyleia Natural Interiors support the organization FORRU-CMU. With a percentage of our profit, this organisation plants trees in national parks.

Yes, the tree has several names. The botanical name is albizia saman or Samanea saman. In many countries, the species has a different name, e.g.:

Indonesia: suar.

English: Raintree or monkey pod.

Thailand the tree is often referred to as ‘acacia by English speaking people. In Thai it is called Cham Cha.

Trees that have been standing close to a river, are usually lighter in colour than trees have lived on the slopes of a dry mountain.

The outer, light-coloured edge is called sapwood. ‘Sapwood is the younger, outermost wood; in the growing tree it is living wood, and its principal functions are to conduct water from the roots to the leaves and to store up and give back according to the season the reserves prepared in the leaves. However, by the time they become competent to conduct water, all xylem tracheids and vessels have lost their cytoplasm and the cells are therefore functionally dead. All wood in a tree is first formed as sapwood.’ (source: Wikipedia).

In the sapwood, there are often marks of longhorn beetles. These insects make the holes, which are visible on the side of the tables. These are in fact the exit holes of the longhorn beetles. All unwanted animals have been destroyed by fumigation.

Albizia saman is a species that stops growing after about 70 years. Thereafter, the wood is of lower quality and the tree is usually felled. So the biggest tee slab tables Xyleia Natural Interiors imports (600 x 185 cm), have not grown much older than 70 years. It is a relatively fast-growing species.

Ten years after the planting of this tree people can harvested is. Not for large tree slab tables, of course, but for example for Stools.

It is of great importance that the shell parts are properly dried. This is happening in Thailand. First the tables are set upright, so that the juices can run out well. After a few weeks it is better to dry the tables under a roof to protect them against the weather. If necessary, the tables are placed in the drying oven for a few weeks or months.

We import the table tops after at least 8 months. Then they will be at sea for another month, and afterwards most of the tables will continue to dry in our showroom.

When the tabletops are dry enough, they will no longer tear. However, wood always works. Therefore, we cannot guarantee that small cracks will occur. If things really go wrong, we are always willing to look for a suitable solution. Fortunately this is rare.

To prevent cracks, we place steel strips in the bottom of the table where necessary. We can also apply “dovetail” to prevent further cracks. Some customers do not like these dovetail or butterflies, others just love them. It is in any case craftsmanship!

The one end side is often somewhat wider because here the roots make the tree wider, and on the other side the branches start to sprout.

Where the branches begin, a few end slices are often sawn as well, which we then use to create special coffee tables. The branches sometimes form seven cores in one table top.

Our unsurpassed furniture makers work in our spacious workshop. They polish the wood perfectly and they ensure that the table does not crack. The legs at the bottom of the table are also milled in, so that the customer does not feel any sharp edges.

In terms of finish, the customer can choose between, for example, Tung oil or Saicos matt lacquer. Both finishes are fine, but they give a totally different appearance.

Tung oil makes the wood dark and warm in hue, and emphasizes the beautiful drawing of the wood. Saicos lacquer keeps the table extremely matt in appearance and the color does not change much compared to unprocessed wood.

All our wooden products come in a large 40 foot container from Bangkok to Rotterdam. Our transport company NeeleVat then ensures that the container arrives in Heeten. Unloading such a full container is always a fun challenge. We usually move the table tops with a forklift. We even get the 6-meter blades in the showroom.

If possible, we deliver ourselves with our trailer. Bringing the items inside at a client is often an even bigger challenge. If we really can’t do it ourselves, we will call in a professional moving company.

The price is calculated per content of the wood. We take the length and three widths of which we take the average. That multiplied by the thickness of the leaf gives a content. We therefore cannot say that a table, for example, 3 meters long has a certain price. That also depends on the average width and thickness.

The finish is included in the price. We also do sawing work for free, provided that we are allowed to keep the sawn-off piece. We turn that into butterflies, for example. The table legs are not included in the price, because different legs are different in price.

In general, we dare to state that our trunk tables cost a lot of money, but are not expensive, especially considering the perfect finish and the good service we provide.

Yes, our website is our catalog. The items that you see on the Tree Slab Tables page are actually for sale. We strive to keep our website up-to-date on a daily basis.