The current demand for tropical hardwoods and an expected deficit in primary forest production due to over-exploitation in some areas have virtually forced Malaysia to concentrate on industrial tree plantations for its current and future timber supply.
Teak (Tectona grandis) was introduced as a source of timber in 1915, but it was not until 1957 that a commercial plantation was successful in northern Peninsular Malaysia (799 ha. in Perlis and Kedah).
In the 1960's and 70's fast growing tropical pines were planted to produce long fibre pulp for a planned paper mill. Trials of Pinus caribaea, Pinus merkusii, and Araucaria spp. were established in Johore, Selangor, Pahang and Negeri Sembilan, covering 5580 ha. However, planting of these species was discontinued due to lack of viable seeds, high establishment and management cost, problems with termites, and poor prospects for the envisaged mill.
Next to be introduced was Acacia mangium, a fast growing pioneer species from Australia, as well as Gmelina arborea, and Paraserianthes falcataria, planted on 98,000 ha. for a 15-year rotation. Gmelina arborea was a complete failure due to its high site needs. Paraserianthes falcataria seems promising, but seed supply is a problem. A wide-spread heart-rot disease in Acacia mangium caused a moratorium on this species in 1993. Rubberwood has been found to be a suitable substitute, and some 2 million ha are readily available.
Based on 50-year inventory data, FRIM has recommended several indigenous species for plantation establishment: Meranti tembaga (Shorea leprosula), Meranti sarang punai (Shorea parvifolia), Kapur (Dryobalanops aromatica), and Merawan siput jantan (Hopea odorata). Open and understory planting trials and fertilizer tests are underway, but progress has been slow.
Recently, two species have been claimed to produce timber on a 5-year rotation: Sentang (Azadirachta excelsa) and Paulownia hybrid. Their wood is supposed to be suitable for furniture and general utility use. Malaysia is currently assessing these species but with caution.