Plantation teak: what it is and where our teak comes from

In short: plantation teak is teak that has been planted and harvested on a plantation rather than felled in natural forest. Almost all teak on the market is plantation teak. Ours comes from plantations in Africa. Teak is not listed under CITES, so no permit is needed.

What is plantation teak?

Teak grows naturally in the forests of India, Myanmar, Thailand and Laos. That old growth teak has become scarce, so teak has long been grown on plantations in Asia, Africa and Latin America. The trees are planted in rows and harvested after a number of years. Nearly all the teak you can buy today, for garden furniture, flooring or a fence, comes from a plantation like that.

Where does our teak come from?

The teak in our teak fencing and teak garden gates is plantation teak from Africa. We use it in the same sizes and with the same fixing system as our Ipe fencing.

Plantation teak vs old growth teak

Old growth teak is rated very durable (class 1). With plantation teak the durability depends on the country and the age of the trees, and ranges from class 1 to 3. Mature plantation teak can be just as durable as old growth. On a fence this matters less than on decking: our slats sit above ground on azobé posts and dry out quickly after rain.

Plantation teakOld growth teak
OriginPlanted, in Africa, Asia and Latin America among othersNatural forest in South East Asia
AvailabilityWidely availableScarce
Durability class1 to 3, depending on country and age1

Is teak legal to buy?

Yes. Teak is not listed under CITES and is not on the IUCN Red List. There is one exception: teak from Myanmar is under sanctions. Our teak does not come from there. Ipe is different, it has been on CITES Appendix II since 25 November 2024. Read more on Ipe origin and CITES.

How do you recognise good teak?

Teak feels slightly oily, is yellow brown to golden brown and usually has a straight grain. Weathered teak is silver grey, but a light sanding brings back the warm colour. See and feel it yourself with a free sample.

See our teak fencing

Plantation teak FAQ

Is plantation teak worse than real teak?

Not necessarily. Plantation teak is real teak, simply grown on a plantation. How durable it is depends on the country and the age of the trees. For a fence above ground it is a good choice.

Where is your teak from?

From plantations in Africa.

Do I need a permit for teak?

No. Teak is not listed under CITES. Only teak from Myanmar is under sanctions, and ours does not come from there.

When is the teak available?

From November 2026. You can order now, for example through the fence calculator.

More on teak fencing

Written by Tom Wegter (team leader IT) and Marc Westerhuis (team leader communications) at Hardwood Discount · last updated: 21 October 2026 · Facebook · Instagram · YouTube · Pinterest