Common Name: Atherton Kauri Pine

General Information

Agathis microstachya is an evergreen tree that can grow up to 50 metres tall. The bole can be up to 400cm in diameter, though such large old specimens are rare nowadays because most have been felled for timber[].
The tree yields a valuable timber and a resin. However, due to past overexploitation, the tree is now protected and commercial felling has stopped.
Prior to 1985 logging led to a significant impact reduction in the total population of this species. Logging has ceased and the population has started to recover. Due to the extent of its recent exploitation, its sporadic distribution and limited extent of occurrence, continued monitoring is advisable to monitor its recovery. The plant is classified as 'Near Threatened' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Australia - Queensland

Habitat

An emergent tree in lowland to mid-montane rainforest; at elevations from 400 - 1,100 metres[]. Found in a variety of rain forest habitats, though it tends to be close to the boundary of rain forest and wet sclerophyll forest[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Near Threatened
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	40.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Young plants grow better in the shelter and shade of the woodland, but require increasing amounts of light as they grow larger[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

Agathis species in general yield a high quality resin, often known as Manila Copal. The resins obtained from Agathis borneensis, Agathis dammara, Agathis lanceolata, Agathis macrophylla and Agathis philippinensis are the most important commercially, but all members of the genus yield usuable quantities.
The resin is obtained in three forms. Firstly, it naturally exudes from the bark, branches, cones etc of the tree, especially as a result of any damage - some of these exudations can weigh as much as 20 kilos. The second form, known as fossil resin, is dug up from the ground - some of this resin can be of fairly recent origin (perhaps secreted by the roots of trees that have been felled, but much of it can be up to 50,000 years old, perhaps formed on a tree that fell naturally and was then gradually buried. The third form of resin is harvested by tapping the tree, though this can easily damage the tree and lead to premature death.
The resin has a range of applications. Traditionally it has been used as a fuel for camp fires, as a torch, as a waterproofing on boats, as a medicine, the smoke from the burning resin is used as a black dye and for tatooing. The resin is used commercially in making high quality varnishes, lacquers, linoleum[].

The wood obtained from the various species of Agathis is very uniform. It is a cream white or light yellow in colour, often with a pink reflection, turning golden brown on exposure; there is no clear demarcation between heartwood and sapwood. The grain is straight, the texture fine. Drying rate is normal to slow; there is a risk of blue stain. The blunting effect on tools is normal and the peeling and slicing is reported to be good; planed surfaces are lustrous; it takes stains well; nailing is good; gluing is correct[]. It is used for various interior purposes such as high class furniture, veneer, boxes and crates, light carpentry, musical instruments, moulding, sliced veneer, joinery, panelling, matches, wood-ware[].
A highly valued timber tree, producing a durable, fine-grained, featureless timber, The tree was heavily exploited in the past but logging within the remaining distribution ceased after the declaration of the Wet Tropics Region in 1987[, , ].

Propagation

Seed - it cannot tolerate desiccation and does not store for much more than 2 months in normal conditions. It does not require pre-treatment. Sowing is done with the wing part of the seed pointing upwards and 66% of the seed buried in the soil. Germination commences within 6 days, with 90 - 100% germination rates within 10 days[].
Cuttings of leading shoots[].

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