Rattan, a vine-like palm native to tropical and sub-tropical areas, is an ideal resource for furniture. Rattan grows more quickly than its tropical wood counterparts—as quickly as six meters annually. It requires only simple tools and cheaper machinery for harvesting, and is easier to transport than traditional lumber. It thrives even in marginal soil. And perhaps most importantly, it is an inadvertent protector of rainforests: because of its vine-like qualities, rattan needs structural support, and must be planted in areas with existing trees to achieve growth and height. Commercial planters must essentially leave existing forests and treecover in peace in order to properly cultivate this plant.