Material: The Palm
With more than 150 species growing in countries from Southeast Asia to
Africa and Central America, palms hold great potential for sustainable
export lumber products in the developing world. Smith & Fong works with
a coconut palm found abundantly in Asia. These plantation-grown palms
produce nuts for more than 100 years. As palms get taller with age,
nutrients traveling from the base cannot reach the nuts efficiently,
thus diminishing production. The taller palms are eventually removed and
replaced with younger, better producers. The felled timber as a
byproduct of the palm plantation has no developed secondary market and
frequently goes unused. Smith & Fong is working to develop this
secondary market to provide a greater cash return to the farmer and a
greater utilization of this valuable material. As the rainforests of
these regions continue to be tapped for timber needs, coconut palm
lumber has been an over-looked resource. We hope through this work, palm
will one day be recognized as a valuable building alternative and help
reduce rainforest harvesting.

Manufacturing: The un-wood
Durapalm® coconut palms only grow to approximately 12" in diameter but
can reach 100 feet or more in height. Unlike wood, coconut palm is
darker and harder at the perimeter and is soft and light in color at its
core. Smith & Fong cuts the logs in a special process, then slices and
kiln dries the material before the lamination process begins. Careful
handling is essential to the success and integrity of the material.
Non-toxic adhesives are used in the lamination process to maintain the
environmental value of the end product. Finally, we mill the flooring
and apply a seven-coat finish system to create a durable wear surface.

LEED® Credits
/for Durapalm flooring and plywood/
EQ 4.4, No added urea formaldehyde