Common Name:

General Information

Styrax tonkinensis is a semi-deciduous tree with a dense crown, especially in young trees; it cn grow 6 - 30 metres tall. The bole can be free of branches for up to 20 metres and is 8 - 60cm in diameter[, ].
The tree is valued in Vietnam as a commercial source of pulpwood. It is also valued, especially in the highlands of Laos, for the gum resin obtained from its trunk. It has been planted in soil restoration and reforestation schemes in several other regions of the tropics.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Southeast Asia - southern China, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand.

Habitat

Mixed forests[]. Open forests on mountain slopes, and along the edges of mixed forests in relatively disturbed sites at elevations from 30 - 2,400 metres[]. A relatively common component of primary and secondary forests[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Semi-deciduous Tree
Height	20.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the subtropics to tropics, where it is found at elevations from 30 - 2,400 metres[]. It is found in areas where the mean annual temperature is in the range 15 - 26°c, though it can survive occasional, short-lived, extreme temperatures as low as -4°c and as high as 45°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,500 - 2,200mm, though it can tolerate as little as 1,300mm in cultivation[]. It grows in areas with no distinct dry season, or only a short dry season[].
Requires a sunny position[].
Styrax tonkinensis is fast growing and under favourable conditions can attain annual height increments of 3 metres during the first three years pf growth[]. A mean height of 18 - 25 metres, with stems 20 - 24cm in diameter, are obtainable at 10 years. Such growth would give a wood yield of about 150 cubic metres per hectare based on final stand densities of approximately 600 - 800 stems per hectare[].
Trees are tapped for their resin from the age of about 6 - 7 years. Tapping continues for 3 - 4 years, or until production declines[].
Trees have a shallow rooting system[].

Edible Uses

A balsamic resin obtained from the trunk is used by the food industry for flavouring a range of products including ice cream, baked goods, chocolate glaze and various beverages[].

Medicinal

The benzoin resin obtained from the trunk is antiseptic[]. It is used in modern pharmaceuticals as an inhalant with steam for the relief of cough, laryngitis, bronchitis and upper respiratory tract disorders or as a mild antiseptic[]. It is used in traditional medicine in China to treat rheumatism, coughs, colds, stomach ache and heart burn: it has also been used in the treatment of apoplexy, dizziness, convulsions and glycosuria[]. It is made into tinctures and balsams and is used to heal wounds[].
The resin is also used in 'Purol', a well known antibacterial powder used to freshen and soothe dry skin and ameliorate skin allergies[].
A rose and benzoin combination is a pleasant, soothing scent, comforting and warming[]

Agroforestry Uses:

A light-demanding, pioneer species in its native range where it can quickly invade gaps in the forest[]. If conditions are favourable, it often occurs in the upper storey and can occupy many hectares as almost pure stands[].
It has been introduced to China, Java and French Guinea in west Africa, where it is used to restore eroded soils and provide green fire belts[].

Other Uses

A benzoin resin is tapped from the trunk[]. The resin, known commercially as 'Siam benzoin', is of high quality and suitable for use by the perfume industry. It is characterized by its content of benzoic acid (10 - 12%), coniferyl benzoate (65 - 70%) and more than 20 other aromatic esters. Benzoin resin absolute is thick, brownish-yellow oil with a sweet, balsamic odour and a hint of vanilla. Benzoin is used in the manufacture of fragrances which are then compounded and employed in a wide range of end-products which includes personal health care products such as
toilet soap, shampoo, body lotion and cream, bath oil, aerosol and talcum powder, and household and other products
such as liquid soap, air freshener, fabric softener, washing detergent and other cleaning agents[, ]. The resin is also used as an incense[].

The wood is light and soft. It is not suitable for construction, but is used to make wooden shoes, pencils, chopsticks, toothpicks and matches[, ]. An important pulpwood species in Vietnam, yield and quality of the pulp is comparable with many commercial pulpwood species[].
The wood is used for fuel[].

Propagation

Seed - it soon loses its viability if it is allowed to dry out, but can be stored for at least a year at 20°c if it is kept moist[]. Fresh seed needs a period of after-ripening or it will take several months to germinate. This is done by placing the fruits in 30 - 40cm deep layers in trays in the shade for 5 - 6 days and turning them over daily to provide aeration[]. When the pericarp turns yellow or grey, the seeds are extracted and then dried in the shade for 4 - 5 days[]. Sow the seed in 50% shade and germination should take 2 - 5 weeks[]. Grown the plants on in 70% light and plant out when 25 - 50cm tall, which usually takes about 3 - 7 months[].

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