Common Name:

General Information

Podocarpus ledermannii is an evergreen tree usually growing 4 - 26 metres tall, occasionally reaching 33 metres. The straight, cylindrical bole can be 8 - 60cm in diameter[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local and commercial use of its wood.
Podocarpus ledermannii has a very large extent of occurrence but is known from a limited number of mostly disjunct and small locations. Logging is an issue in some localities, but the tree is mainly found in remote forests, where it can be common. No overall decline of the global population is evident. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Australasia - New Guinea to Bismarck Archipelago

Habitat

Scattered and locally common tree in evergreen rainforests, usually in the understorey, but can attain canopy height in medium-high forests or in more open forests; at elevations from near sea level to 2,300 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	15.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Species in this genus are generally slow-growing[].
A dioecious species; both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

This species is relatively uncommon and is probably not distinguished from the more common species like Podocarpus neriifolius. Therefore it can be assumed to be logged when occurring in accessible forest and attaining suitable size. The uses of the wood are similar to that of Podocarpus neriifolius, primarily light construction and carpentry and, where it occurs in the delta areas, also for boats, oars, masts, and spars[].

This species is one of several that are traded collectively under the name 'podo'. The general description of podo wood is as follows:-
The heartwood is light yellow with a greenish tinge or light golden brown; it is not clearly demarcated from the sapwood. The texture is very fine and even; the grain is straight. The wood can vary considerably in hardness and density; it is fairly strong; non-durable under exposed conditions. It seasons well without serious degrade. It is easy to work with hand and machine tools; planed surfaces are smooth and lustrous. The wood is suitable for many decorative purposes, interior finishings, panelling, high class furniture and cabinets, fancy plywood and flooring[].

Propagation

The seed can be sown at any time of the year in a sandy soil, though it is probably best sown as soon as it is ripe[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on until large enough to plant out.
Cuttings of half-ripe terminal shoots, 5 - 10cm long, in a frame[].

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