Dead tree roots turned into unique furniture

Perhaps not many of us know that the roots of a dead tree can be turned into a set of unique and beautiful furniture.

A local entrepreneur from Sarawak, Norazlan Mohd Abdul Rus, 39, came out with the idea to use the roots of the Bornean ironwood or 'Eusideroxylon zwageri' as the main material to produce wood products, including tables, resting chairs and decorative home accessories.

"I will try to maintain the original shape of the timber which is unique and prominent compared to other types of wood. Even though the final product will only take a short time to complete, the process to generate ideas to turn the wood into a product will sometime take up to six months," he told Bernama here yesterday.

He said the branches and trunk of the tree could also be used as furniture such as desks, chairs, hangers, fence and pillars.

Norazlan, who has three years' experience in carpentry, said the growth rate of the Bornean ironwood was very slow which is 0.5cm per year and it would reach a height of 130cm after 120 years.

"Each curve will take years to develop and that is why it is sold at high prices. It is also highly durable even if exposed to rain or heat," he said.

Norazlan is among 250 local entrepreneurs who participated in the Interior Design and Landscaping Promotion 2015 at Kompleks Kraf Kuala Lumpur for five days beginning today.

The event features more than 500 craft products based on nature, including indoor and outdoor decorations, wooden and rattan furniture, and personal ornaments.