Burmese Varnish Tree
Gluta usitata

Family: Anacardiaceae

What it is like

A deciduous tree with a straight, clean cylindrical trunk and a spreading crown composed of dark leaves characterizes Burmese Varnish Tree or Gluta usitata. It is highly valued for the lacquer that its trunk produces. The lacquer is used for producing varnish, waterproof or preservative paint, glue, ceramic, and lacquerware. The resinous wood exudate is toxic and can cause severe skin irritation thus timber should be dried and exposed for several years. The wood is also of good quality and commonly used for furniture and inlay work. The tree is considered an endangered species.

Gluta usitata is a deciduous Tree growing to 25 m (82ft) by 20 m (65ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 25

Where it is found

Open forests, rare in dry forests.

Southeast Asia - Myanmar, Thailand.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed

Countries/locations it is found in

India; Myanmar; Thailand

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 2

Other

Rating: 4

Other Uses: A natural lacquer or varnish is obtained from the trunk. To obtain the varnish, V-shaped incisions, 22cm long and 15cm apart at the base, are cut on the bark of the trees, the apex pointing down. The tongue of bark within these scars is then slightly lifted up and a specially prepared joint of bamboo driven in horizontally immediately below the apex of the incision. The sap which exudes from the inner bark drains into the bamboo receiver. This is emptied at the end of ten days, when the flow of varnish is observed to become scanty. A second cut is made along each side of the contained tongue of bark, which is also again raised up slightly and the bamboo receiver placed more conveniently to the new scarification. After this has yielded all the varnish that seems likely, a new incision is made a little higher up. It would appear that young trees yield better than fully formed ones. The tree is largely utilised in its liquid state as a natural varnish, and has the great merit of preserving woodwork. Thickened by sawdust, cow-dung ashes, or bone-ashes to a plastic condition, it is employed as a cement and body material or moulding substance. It may be coloured with lamp-black, gold-leaf, vermilion (not red lead), orpiment, indigo, etc., and applied with a brush or by the hand direct, or to objects revolving on the turning-lathe. When painted on cloth or paper the form used is very thin and pure, but on drying the articles are found to have been rendered waterproof. As a cement it is largely employed in the Burmese glass mosaics, but by far its best-known property is in the manufacture of the so-called Burmese lacquer ware, of which there are four types and centres of production Pagan; Prome; Mandalay; and Manipur leather varnish. The wood is dark red with yellowish streaks, turning very dark after long exposure. It is very hard. A handsome wood, it is worthy of being better known. It is used for tool handles and anchor stocks, and has been recommended for construction, railway ties, gun stocks etc. A resinous exudate from the wood can cause severe skin irritation. The poisonous constituent of the resinous sap is volatile and will gradually disappear. For this reason, the timber of this tree must be dried and exposed for several years as it is otherwise dangerous to handle. Lacquered articles or furniture made from the dried timber may still be toxic to persons who are especially susceptible.

Furniture: A few miscellaneous uses that do not fit easily into other headings.

Lacquer: A type of varnish.

Varnish: Plants that can be used as a varnish without any special treatment. Does not include varnishes made from oils etc.

Waterproofing: Does what it says. See also Pitch and Oil.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

How it is grown

Not known

Propagating it: Seed

Best place to grow:

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Brief contact with the plant can cause allergies and chemical irritation of the skin. The sap can cause dermatitis. A resinous exudate from the wood can cause severe skin irritation. The smoke of the burning wood can cause severe irritation, particularly to the eyes.

Its other names

Local names

Burmese Lacquer Tree

Synonyms

Melanorrhoea usitata Wall.