Teak, mahogany, and merbau are wood materials used in various construction and furniture projects. These three popular wood species have high tannin content. However, along with the many types of wood available, most trees and plants contain tannins in varying degrees and strengths. And, some people need to know the difference between tannin and gum in hardwood.
Why did you need to pay attention to the difference between tannin and gum? So that you don’t have to be afraid of the risks and reactions when finishing hardwood on furniture or construction, such as tannin stain or tannin bleeding. And, understanding the two types of gum can help you know well about the product you should choose to make high-quality furniture.
Have you ever eaten an apple or sapodilla that tastes astringent, slightly bitter, and dry on your lips? That’s the taste of most tannins in trees. Tannins are organic compounds found in hardwood. The tannin content in wood gives its distinctive color to the wood, gives fiber characteristics, and protects the wood from pests and fungi. In addition, tannins provide strength and resistance to weather and other environmental influences.
Some woods known to have high tannin content are oak and walnut. Moreover in Indonesia, there are teak, mahogany, merbau, ironwood, and so on.
Tannin liquid is a natural compound found in many types of hardwood. Tannins have astringent properties that provide strength and durability to wood and are usually found in the interior of the wood, such as the wood’s vascular tissue and bark. This compound provides natural protection against insects, fungi, and even animals that try to eat the wood.
Gum, often called resin, is a long-chain sticky substance made from sugar (polysaccharide) found in hardwoods. Usually, the gum is formed as a natural response of the tree when the bark gets injured.
The main function of gum is to protect the injured area from pests and diseases and help the healing process in the tree. In addition, gum also provides additional strength and stiffness to the wood. Some woods that have a lot of gum are pine and fruit trees such as mango, jackfruit, and breadfruit.
Gum consists of many complex organic compounds, including polysaccharides and amino acids. You can find gum when the wet wood is scratched or on a tree that has just been cut. When the wood is “injured,” gum comes out and forms a protective layer that helps stop infection and speeds up healing. It is such great work of Gum to protect the tree.
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