Aus. Red Cedar                      Calantis                         Surian

     Density ( Kg/m³)          450                                    448                               417

                   (Lbs/ ft³)           28                                      28                                 26

     Working                 Inclined to be woolly             (same as Aus)               Easy to work

     Properties              Works easily                          Works well                   Good finish

                           ( except quarter sawn stock)

     Shrinkage                3 -  5%                                 Similar to Aus)            1% radial  

                                                                                                                   l2.7% Tangential

    Durability            Moderate                                  Moderate                      Non  durable

    Strength              Relatively weak                        Moderate strong         Weak

    Sawing &            Cutting edges must                   Moderate easy            Easy

    Crosscutting       be sharp    

    Planning             Sharp edges will                       Wooliness can be         Easy ; smooth

                                produce smooth finish              common                       planed finish 

    Availability

Australia Red Cedar and was formed used in the production of furniture quite widely throughout the country. Major areas  of growth are however now found in World Heritage listed areas. This affects both the price and availability.

               Calantis has been banned for export form the Philippines for some years.

               Surian is readily available in a range of sizes. It is soft, red and fragrant and in Europe has been found to resist the action  of moths and boring insects.

Surian in its finished or polished from is indistinguishable from Red Cedar from Australia, the Philippines or form Central America ( per " Timber of the World " - Alex Howard)

Note also the following extract from " A Dictionary Malaysian Timbers " - T.M  Wong, Forest Research Kepong, Malaysia :

             " this timber is equivalent to the red cedar of Australia and the Spanish cedar. It is highly prized as a high class Cabinet wood. It is suitable for interior finishing panelling furniture manufacture. Plywood, fancy articles .... and other decorative purposes "