In the following blog, you’ll find a list of 100% Asian woods of excellent quality that can provide an alternative in construction or carpentry. Some of them are abundant and therefore cheaper than woods such as Teak, for example.
Most used Asian Woods
Asia is a land of contrasts and its trees are not left behind.
In this continent, more than 40 species are used for hundreds of purposes, from cosmetics to pharmaceuticals.
Although native species are not so often used for timber purposes, a few of them are used worldwide due to their good quality and versatility.
We’ll only talk here about species that are native to Asia and whose production process is concentrated there.
Therefore, we’ll not talk about species such as Teak which, although originally from Asia, was introduced to America many years ago and therefore adapted to the American climatic conditions, making it almost native to the New Continent.
In addition, you may want to take a look at our blog on wood basics to get a better understanding of some of the terms we use throughout this blog.
Anyway, enough chitchat. Let’s get started.
1. Princess tree wood (Paulownia Tomentosa)
Characteristics of the Paulownia tomentosa tree
Location | Native to China, Laos, and Vietnam. It has spread to different parts of the world since the 19th century, and its seeds are currently very popular for sale. It is very popular in Japan and Korea but also in Europe and North America. |
Height | Between 7 and 20 meters. |
Trunk diameter | 80 to 100 centimeters. |
Flowers | White with pinkish hues, going from blue to violet. They are trumpet-shaped. |
Leaves | Green and hairy, heart-shaped, up to 60 centimeters long. They shoot thousands of flying seeds. |
Branches | Thin, upwards from the trunk. |
Habitat | This tree needs a lot of water for its roots to grow well. It thrives at altitudes below 1800 meters above sea level. It also tolerates environmental pollution very well and grows in soils lacking in nutrients. In contrast, it doesn’t do so well in frost but can withstand it. |
Service life | It rarely exceeds 10 years in plantations. In the wild, however, it can exceed 250 years. |
Conservation status (IUCN) | Minor concern. In fact, it is an invasive species in several countries. |
This tree, native to China, was introduced to Europe by the Dutch merchant fleet. Paulownia has been known for over 100 years for the beauty of its leaves and how profitable it is for timber extraction.
However, in recent years it has become especially important among those who have cultivated the tree since they know from experience how it behaves. They claim that this plant can solve many problems derived from climate change, such as CO2 emissions; they assure that this species traps much more CO2 than others.
On the other hand, other people consider it a dangerous species when grown outside its natural habitat (Asia). In fact, it can increase the problems caused by climate change, for example, the extinction of species.
Most advocates of this tree are those who want to repopulate poorly arable land: they claim that since the tree reproduces so easily and retains a lot of nitrogen and nutrients, it will help them to reuse that land.
In addition, its rapid growth and extreme hardiness guarantee a constant production of wood. Keep in mind that:
- It produces millions of seeds that are dispersed by the wind ensuring its reproduction.
- New trees can grow from their cuttings (pieces of branches).
- It can be born in contaminated soils.
- It grows on land that has been previously burned.
- It has the ability to regenerate its roots and growth vessels in adverse conditions.
- In only 8 years it reaches the height of a 40-year-old oak tree.
- It is capable of resprouting up to seven times after being cut down.
In better words, the Princess tree grows in virtually any terrain and, although this sounds fantastic in theory, others suggest that its “indestructible” nature makes it a risk to other species and ecosystems, since its reproduction would be difficult to control.
Likewise, many environmental experts (agro-industrial engineers, ecologists, researchers, etc.) state that the problem with invasive species is that they compete for nutrients with native species, but can also eat them or transmit diseases for which they have no defenses.
On top of that, these invasive species often “damage” the soil where they grow so nothing but them can grow there, leaving only the alternative of burning or deforesting their habitat.
In fact, in recent years, countries like the United States have warned of the harmful effects of this species since it is considered an invasive species there as it has displaced native species in several states.
So, although outside the United States there is still no evidence that Paulownia can become an ecological hazard, in countries like Colombia, the environmental authorities do not want to take the risk and for that reason have banned the importation of its seeds.
Some environmentalists claim that if what they are looking for is that the Paulownia traps more CO2 then it should not be cut, because after being cut down the CO2 levels would return to normal.
In other words, either it is left standing and serves as a tool to combat the effects of climate change or it is used to obtain timber.
In contrast, in countries such as Argentina and Chile, there are cultivations of this tree and apparently, no problems of invasion of native species have arisen.
Characteristics of the wood of Paulownia tomentosa
Overview and applications
It has been found that, when the branches are not damaged during the cutting, the tree can grow again and at an even faster rate. It is known to give a very good supply of timber.
There are several trees within the Paulownia species, however, the most important in terms of timber is the tomentosa.
It has been documented that this wood is very resistant to fire. In addition, it is resistant to humidity and due to its high supply from the number of plantations, its wood is more economical than similar species such as teak but is not much inferior in quality.
Among its applications are:
- Manufacture of surf and ski boards.
- Manufacture of musical instruments.
- Manufacture of shutters.
- Interior carpentry (doors, windows).
- Manufacture of plywood boards.
Age of felling or cutting
It should ideally not be cut before it is 8 years old.
Color
It has a light and pale coloration.
Sapwood
Yellowish white.
Heartwood
Between brown and light gray.
Characteristic defects
Knots
Density
It is a light wood, as its density is between 265 and 280 kg/m3 at 12% humidity.
Fiber
Straight.
Grain
Coarse or rough.
Hardness
The Monnin test result is 1.3, which makes it a softwood. Although it is not the most resistant wood to mechanical forces, it is quite light.
Durability
It is decently resistant to rot, although it is susceptible to attack by insects and fungi in particular. In fact, the Oomycetes fungus causes a disease called mildew that causes malformations in the structure of the wood.
Dimensional Stability
Volumetric shrinkage coefficient
The wood is not very nervous, between 0.26-0.33%.
Impregnability
Both sapwood and heartwood are impregnable.
Mechanical Properties
Compressive strength
211 kg/cm2
Static flexural strength
440 kg/cm2
Modulus of elasticity
44,600 kg/cm2
Workability
Sawing
No problems.
Drying
No problems.
Planing
No problems.
Gluing
No problems.
Nailing and screwing
No problems
Finishing
No problems.
Poplar tree wood (Populus spp.)
Regarding the wood, there are 3 relevant species of poplar.
- Black poplar (Populus nigra)
- White poplar (Populus alba)
- European poplar (Populus tremula).
Next, we describe each one of them, but first, let’s talk about the common characteristics of all of them.
All poplars are members of the Salicaceae family, which are also deciduous. They all grow in the humid regions of the northern hemisphere, although it is now common to find them in other parts of the world: in recent decades there has been a special interest in their wood. China is the world’s largest producer.
2. White poplar wood (Populus alba)
Characteristics of the white poplar tree
The white poplar is characterized by its whitish hue.
Location | Native to Central Asia, North Africa and southern Europe. It is therefore found in countries as diverse as Spain, Morocco, Afghanistan and Pakistan. |
Height | 30 meters. |
Trunk diameter | Approximately 100 to 110 cm. |
Flowers | The male flowers are reddish and large, while the female flowers are yellow-greenish. |
Leaves | Dark green, sometimes white. They are deciduous and oval. |
Branches | They are slender and upright in relation to the trunk. |
Habitat | It grows in humid places; it needs to be close to water. That is to say, it needs to have a river nearby. Because of its shape (enlarged crown), it needs a lot of space to develop well. Resistant to cold climates. |
Service life | Between 50 and 60 years old. |
Conservation status (IUCN) | Minor concern. |
Like its “siblings”, white poplar is susceptible to pest attacks.
Pests of white poplar
- Whitefly: an insect that feeds on the tree’s sap causing the poplar to turn yellow and lose leaves. Fortunately, the fly can be repelled by planting aromatic species around the poplar.
- Poplar borer: a coleopteran insect that bores into the trunk to deposit its larvae. These larvae feed on the wood causing rotting and decay. To prevent this, several insecticides are used.
- Powdery mildew: a group of fungi that settle on the leaves of the poplar. They are arranged in such a way that they look like ash, corrupting the leaves and tissue. This pest can be treated with a systemic fungicide.
- Lepidosaphes ulmi: Hemiptera insect that eats the sap of white poplar. In severe cases, the tree is severely weakened and its wood cannot be harvested. This pest is usually treated with chemical agents.
Characteristics of white poplar wood
This wood is easy to work with. It is clear and homogeneous.
Overview and applications
Populus alba wood is usually used mainly in interior carpentry and joinery.
Its applications are:
- Manufacture of shutters.
- Manufacture of plywood boards.
- Structural wood.
Age of felling or cutting
Between 15 to 20 years on a plantation.
Color
Sapwood
Yellowish white.
Heartwood
Yellowish white, a little lighter but difficult to distinguish between the two.
Characteristic defects
Quite prone to cracking.
Density
The density, when dry, can reach 500 kg/m3, and when green, 900 kg/m3. It is a medium-heavy to heavy wood.
Fiber
Straight.
Grain
Fine grain.
Hardness
It is a soft wood with a Monnin of 2.6.
Durability
Wood is not very resistant to humidity and woodworm (insect pests).
Dimensional Stability
Coefficient of volumetric shrinkage
0.20%, it is not a very nervous wood.
Impregnability
Sapwood is impregnable, and heartwood is moderately impregnable.
Mechanical Properties
Compressive strength
353 kg/cm2
Static flexural strength
629 kg/cm2
Modulus of elasticity
95,633 kg/cm2
Workability
Sawing
No problems
Drying
It is better to use a kiln because if it dries outdoors there is a risk of deformation.
Planing
It is necessary to use a good brush, otherwise, there may be areas with a rougher texture than the rest.
Gluing
No problems.
Nailing and screwing
No problems
Finishing
No problems.
3. Black poplar tree wood (Populus nigra)
Characteristics of the black poplar tree
Location | It grows in most of Asia and Europe. It is also found in North Africa. |
Height | Between 20 to 30 meters on average. |
Trunk diameter | Between 100 and 110 centimeters. |
Flowers | Male and female flowers grow in clusters. |
Leaves | Green, they are deciduous and reach 2 to 6 cm. Rhomboidal in shape and serrated at the ends. |
Branches | Thin. They are only present in the upper third of the trunk. |
Habitat | It is found in areas that don’t exceed 1800 meters above sea level. It requires nearby water sources so it is found near rivers or in places where there are groundwater wells. It doesn’t grow well in overly saline soils. In addition, it needs nutrient-rich soils and good sun exposure. For this reason, it is often crossed with trees such as ash in plantations to make it more resistant and adaptable. |
Service life | It rarely exceeds 60 years if it is on a plantation. In nature, specimens up to 300 years old have been found. |
Conservation status (IUCN) | Minor concern. |
Did you know that salicin is extracted from the bark of the poplar tree? You may not recognize it by that name, but salicin is a glycoside crucial in the elaboration of the active ingredient of acetylsalicylic acid or Aspirin.
The truth is that the bark and leaves of this species have been used for centuries for the medicinal properties of the tree, from its antipyretic effect (lowers fever) to its anti-inflammatory action. Curiously, this same tree can produce so much pollen that it ends up being responsible for countless allergic reactions such as rhinitis.
Likewise, we can tell you that since the time of the conquest of America, the different species of Poplar were brought by the Europeans to be cultivated there in plantations.
Characteristics of black poplar wood
Apart from its use for timber, poplar wood is used to make paper pulp.
Overview and applications
Black poplar has a soft and light wood which explains why it is used in:
- Light carpentry, i.e. the manufacture of packaging and lightboxes.
- Manufacture of toothpicks.
- Construction since, although it is soft, it can support a lot of weight on top of it.
Felling or cutting age.
Around 20 years old.
Color
Sapwood
Pale yellow to brown
Heartwood
Virtually indistinguishable from sapwood
Characteristic defects
Knots.
Density
Light wood, with an approximate density of 420 kg/m3 at 12% humidity.
Fiber
Straight.
Grain
Fine.
Hardness
It is a soft wood with a Monnin score of 2.5.
Durability
The wood is not very resistant to humidity and woodworm (insect pests).
Dimensional Stability
Coefficient of volumetric shrinkage
0.45% wood not very nervous
Impregnability
Sapwood and heartwood are moderately impregnable.
Mechanical Properties
Compressive strength
353 kg/cm2
Static flexural strength
629 kg/cm2
Modulus of elasticity
92930 kg/cm2
Workability
Sawing
No problems.
Drying
No problems.
Planing
No problems.
Gluing
No problems.
Nailing and screwing
No problems
Finishing
No problems.
4. Aspen tree wood (Populus tremula)
Characteristics of the aspen tree
Location | Temperate regions of Asia and Europe. It is located further north than its sister species and is therefore present in the British Isles and far eastern Russia, but can also be seen in other warmer areas such as Algeria or Turkey. |
Height | Between 10 and 25 meters on average. |
Trunk diameter | 100 centimeters on average. |
Flowers | They are small and grow in elongated structures called catkins that measure between 4 and 6 cm. The flowers come out in spring before the leaves. |
Leaves | The leaves of a mature tree in its natural habitat are semi-rounded, up to 8 cm long, with serrated margins and a flattened petiole (the area where the leaf joins the stem) that vibrates at the slightest breeze and trembles constantly, hence the name “trembling”. On the other hand, the leaves of plantation trees are heart-shaped or almost triangular in shape and can reach 20 cm in length. |
Branches | Only present on the upper one-third of the tree, they are reddish-brown in color and arranged in an almost vertical direction in relation to the trunk. |
Habitat | It is found in mountainous areas between 1000 and 2000 meters above sea level approximately. There must be water sources nearby and in general it thrives in areas with good humidity. This species is known for its resistance to cold but not so much to heat. |
Service life | Approximately 60 years old. |
Conservation status (IUCN) | Minor concern. |
This tree is characterized by long peduncles or stems that sway in the wind and give it a “flimsy” appearance, hence its name, trembling.
Populus tremula is not only used for its wood but also for its medicinal applications. For example, it has been used as a natural aid against scurvy, which is a chronic vitamin C deficiency.
In some parts of Europe, its bark is even milled to obtain edible flour.
Characteristics of the aspen wood
This wood is very desirable because it does not splinter.
Overview and applications
It is light once it is dry, but it is very heavy when freshly cut because it stores a lot of water. It is resistant to mechanical forces and withstands wear and tear very well.
- Manufacture of boxes for food transportation.
- Structural construction (beams and roof frames).
- Interior carpentry, furniture drawers and packaging.
- Manufacture of matches and toothpicks.
- Manufacture of boards that will later be used in luxury cabinetmaking.
- Manufacture of paper pulp.
- Manufacture of musical instruments.
Age of felling or cutting
20 years.
Color
This is a light wood.
Sapwood
Creamy white.
Heartwood
Creamy white to light gray.
Characteristic defects
It is prone to cracking.
Density
Light wood, with an approximate density of 450 kg/m3 at 12% humidity.
Fiber
Straight.
Grain
Fine.
Hardness
It is a soft wood with a Monnin index score of 2.6.
Durability
It is classified as a non-durable species against rotting and is susceptible to insect attack.
Dimensional Stability
Coefficient of volumetric shrinkage
0.43% wood moderately nervous.
Impregnability
Sapwood is impregnable, and heartwood is moderately impregnable.
Mechanical Properties
Compressive strength
357kg/cm2
Static bending strength
632 kg/cm2
Modulus of elasticity
99.930 kg/cm2
Workability
Sawing
No problems.
Drying
When dried naturally, there is a greater risk of deformation, so it is recommended to dry it in industrial ovens.
Planing
You must have a good planer as this wood tends to have rough areas when the planer blade is not sharp enough.
Gluing
No problems.
Nailing and screwing
No problems.
Finishing
No problems.
5. Sandalwood tree wood (Santalum album)
Sandalwood tree characteristics
Location | Native to all of the Indian subcontinent and some areas of Southeast Asia, but because of its extensive cultivation it can even be found in Oceania. It is found in countries such as: India. Sri Lanka. Indonesia. Malaysia. The Philippines. Australia. |
Height | Between 4 and 9 meters. |
Trunk diameter | Between 20 and 50 centimeters. |
Flowers | Red with 4 petals. |
Leaves | Perennial (they do not fall), delegated, with elliptical form and bright green color. |
Branches | Thick, practically vertical to the trunk and located only in its upper 2/3. |
Habitat | It grows in semi-arid forests located no higher than 700 meters above sea level. It grows well in different types of soils and withstands high temperatures, as long as there is a good level of annual rainfall, between 500 and 3000 mm. It reproduces by means of seeds that are viable after five years of age of the tree and are distributed by birds. |
Service life | Up to 100 years old. |
Conservation status (IUCN) | Vulnerable, meaning that it has a high probability of becoming an endangered species, especially in its natural habitat. |
Sandalwood is a very aromatic species native to South Asia, specifically India. But due to the multiple applications it has, it is now distributed in other parts of the world.
Though, it must be said that the species cultivated elsewhere in the world are not as close to the Indian species but are called sandalwood and its wood is also aromatic.
This species has been used for millennia for wood extraction and also to make incense by grinding its bark and compacting it into sticks which are very often used in Buddhist and Hindu ceremonies.
In addition, parts of the tree are used in the cosmetic industry mainly for skin care. Likewise, its oils and derivatives are said to have many applications:
- Antidepressive
- Antiseptic
- Diuretic
- Sedative
Another interesting aspect of this tree is that it parasitizes the roots of other tree species, but doesn’t cause great damage to them.
The greatest danger for these species comes from fungal diseases (caused by fungi).
The most common is the witches’ broom disease which manifests as a mass that sprouts from the bark of the tree in the shape of a broom or a bird’s nest. This disease is caused by a fungus but is transmitted by insects and attacks trees of all ages. In the area that has been colonized by the fungus, the normal structure is deteriorated and sometimes deformed. If not treated in time, the tree usually dies within 3 years.
Characteristics of Sandalwood
Not only does the wood serve as a raw material in carpentry, but also oil is extracted from it that is used for medical purposes.
Note that both the wood and the oil are considered of better quality if they come from India. In fact, Indian Sandalwood is considered one of the most expensive in the world, as it is scarce, and has a very good appearance and good quality.
Overview and applications
Sandalwood has a fine and regular texture. That is why it is mainly used in:
- Cabinetmaking (high-quality and high-priced furniture)
- Carving
- Turning
- Marquetry.
- Obtaining aromatic oils.
- Traditional medicine.
- Incense.
Age of felling or cutting
In India, Sandalwood is a sacred species so the government considers it a national property.
Therefore, it is protected and felling is only allowed when the tree is more than 30 years old, which is when the tree begins to age and is close to death. Keep in mind that it takes 25 years for the trunk of the Sandalwood tree to get about 6 cm in thickness or diameter.
Unfortunately, these measures have not reduced illegal logging.
Color
Its wood is yellowish-brown in color but it becomes darker with time, even brown.
Sapwood
Yellowish white.
Heartwood
Heartwood is pale green to white.
Characteristic defects
It is prone to deformation.
Density
On average, at 12% humidity, it has a density of 950 kg/m³. It is therefore an extremely heavy wood.
Fiber
Straight.
Grain
Fine.
Hardness
Hardwood. Although there is no exact numerical value, it is good to remember that hardwoods are those that score between 6 and 9 in the Monnin test, as is the case of Sandalwood — or a Monnin of 4 to 20 when they are conifers.
Remember that hardness is the resistance of wood to physical forces such as blows.
Durability
Durable against insects and fungi. Even though we have said that the main enemy of the tree and its wood are some fungi and insects, the truth is that the tree withstands other species of pests quite well.
Impregnability
Sapwood is impregnable, heartwood is moderately impregnable.
Workability
Sawing
Without problems.
Drying
Slow: keep in mind that natural drying is used in India (and especially in illegal logging) rather than industrial drying.
Planing
No problems.
Gluing
No problems.
Nailing and screwing
No problems.
Finishing
No problems.
6. Meranti tree wood (Shorea spp.)
Characteristics of the Meranti tree
Location | Apparently, Meranti is native to Southeast Asia. It is common in India and the Himalayas. Although, this species has been introduced to many other places. That is why it is found in: Burma Bhutan Nepal Bangladesh United States of America Canada |
Height | Between 20 and 30 meters. |
Trunk diameter | From 2 to 2.5 meters. |
Flowers | Up to 25 cm long, they have cream to yellowish petals and are between 0.5 to 1.5 cm in diameter. |
Leaves | Pale green in color, they are up to 15 cm wide and up to 20.5 cm long. Its leaves are evergreen in humid regions. By contrast, in drier areas, its leaves act as deciduous and many of them fall off between February and April. |
Branches | Abundantes, tortuosas y delgadas. |
Habitat | Abundant, tortuous and thin. It is distributed throughout northern India where it forms forests known as salt marshes. These salt marshes need a lot of light, both on the leaves and on the trunk. Thus, they deteriorate quickly if there is a lot of shade. In addition, it needs soils with a good proportion of nutrients. They also thrive in dry environments as excessive humidity can damage their roots. Therefore, it doesn’t tolerate prolonged flooding well. Finally, remember that salt marshes are considered wet if they are near the coast, but if they are inland, they are dry salt marshes. |
Service life | In good condition, it can exceed 100 years. |
Conservation status (IUCN) | Low concern, but it is thought that in a few years it will be considered an endangered species if the current rate of logging is not modified. |
Popularly known as Sal, Sala, or Kandar, this is another tree native to India and is slow growing. It is a nut producer.
Importantly, if there are Meranti populations in a forest, they usually predominate over the others.
Also, in countries like India, there are large protected areas for this species to thrive. These forests are called salal forests.
Apparently artificial (man-made) fires have been documented in the salal forests. Why do they do this? Allegedly, fire is used to kill pests because by burning the bark, pests such as fungi and insects are also supposedly killed.
Then, the tree, which is resistant to fire (usually older trees), produces new bark that accelerates overall growth. However, in this process the younger trees, which are not as resistant, can be affected and, in addition to that, the soil where the species grows can be severely damaged because it is deprived of essential nutrients.
In addition, some say that fires can actually make the trees more vulnerable to attack by fungi and insects such as Hoplocerambyx spinicornis, a beetle that attacks the pith or heart of the trunk, which rots the wood from the inside out.
In addition, the Meranti is also being over-harvested and, again, even if government measures are taken to protect the species, illegal logging will continue to be a serious problem.
Characteristics of Meranti wood
There are several species of Meranti, but only 4 are considered timber, and all are covered under the term Shorea spp. They are as follows:
- White Meranti (Shorea assamica).
- Yellow Meranti (Shorea faguetiana).
- Light Red Meranti (Shorea parvifolia).
- Dark Red Meranti (Shorea pauciflora).
The important thing is that you know that there is really no big difference between them. Therefore, the characteristics that we are going to describe apply to all species.
Overview and applications
Meranti wood is hard and contains a lot of resin used for compacting boards.
Therefore, this wood is used for:
- Structural construction of houses.
- Interior carpentry (manufacture of window and door frames).
- Heavy construction (bridges, train carriages, railroad sleepers).
- Interior furniture.
- Flooring construction.
- Veneer and plywood.
- Laminated wood.
Age of felling or cutting
It should not be less than 30 years old, but in the context of illegal logging, it will probably be cut at around 10 to 12 years.
Color
Clear when freshly cut, but darkens to a brownish color over time.
Sapwood
Yellowish white. Not always easy to distinguish from heartwood.
Heartwood
White Meranti has a brownish color that turns brown with time. In the other 3 species, it has a reddish color.
Characteristic defects
Silica deposits.
Density
The wood of white Meranti is semi-heavy, approximately 700 kg/m3, at 12% humidity. The other 3 species have densities ranging from 500-700 kg/m3, which makes them a little lighter.
Fiber
Interlaced.
Grain
Intermediate to coarse.
Hardness
Soft to semi-hardwood. For example, white Meranti has a strength of 3.3 according to the Monnin test. However, the other 3 timber trees are semi-soft.
Durability
It depends, on its own, it is not very resistant to fungi and insects. But with the use of various pesticides, it can be used even outdoors.
Workability
Its workability can be a little difficult due to the high percentage of resins, although it is manageable.
Dimensional Stability
Volumetric shrinkage coefficient
This wood has values between 0.48 and 0.58, i.e., it is between moderately nervous and very nervous.
Impregnability
Sapwood is moderately impregnable; heartwood is not very impregnable.
Mechanical Properties
Compressive strength
660 kg/cm2
Static flexural strength
920 kg/cm2
Modulus of elasticity
141,000 kg/cm2
Workability
Sawing
It is not a major problem, but remember that silica wears out the saws; therefore, the work must be done with special equipment that can withstand heavy work.
Drying
No problems. Some deformations may appear, but only if left to dry naturally.
Brushing
As its fiber is interlocked, it is more difficult to apply the brushing in a homogeneous way.
Gluing
No problems.
Nailing and screwing
It requires the prior use of a drill.
Finishing
Sealing must be applied because it doesn’t retain varnish or dyes very well, due to the excess resin it has.