Kulliyyah of Architecture & Environmental Design, IIUM

Descriptions

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Kempas (Kempas) is a medium hardwood with an evergreen character. Naturally, it lives in a wild. ‘Malaccensis’ is a Latin word, which originates from the name of one of the states (Melaka) in Peninsula Malaysia (P.M.). Some would regard Kempas as a ‘giant tree’ that may reach the height of 60 metres tall with a 6 metre thick of buttresses.

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Kempas is extremely a strong (strength grade A) timber with various usages. For instance, a treated timber with preservative is suitable for all heavy constructional works including posts, beams, joists, bridges, wharves, railway sleepers and power transmission poles. The untreated timber of Kempas is suitable for structures undercover, parquet, strip flooring and panelling. The tree is also favourable for a timber pile manufacture. Kempas has ethnobotanical implications. The timber produces fuel and firewood with high quality of charcoal.

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It is a native habitat to a primary and secondary rainforest of Malaysia with lowland freshwater peat-swamp forest. The tree is propagated from seed. It has significant natural and cultural heritage value with the status of endangered species.

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Bibliography:

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1. Wong, T. M. 1982. A Dictionary of Malaysian Timbers. Revised by Lim, S. C. & Chung, R. C. K. Malayan Forest Records No. 30. Kuala Lumpur: Forest Research Institute Malaysia, 201 pp.

2. https://florafaunaweb.nparks.gov.sg/Special-Pages/plant-detail.aspx?id=2984 [Accessed: 5.8.19]

3. https://www.nparks.gov.sg/gardens-parks-and-nature/heritage-trees/ht-2016-2804. https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/29497. [Accessed: 8.8.19]

4. https://www.mybis.gov.my/sp/26966. [Accessed: 8.8.19]

5. https://www.timberpolis.co.uk/s307701/Kempas-Koompassia-malaccensis. [Accessed: 8.8.19]