Common Name:

General Information

Agathis moorei is an evergreen tree with a rounded crown; it can grow up to 30 metres tall. The straight, cylindrical bole can be free of branches for up to 20 metres and 60 - 120cm in diameter[, ].
The tree yields a valuable timber and is commonly harvested from the wild, mainly for trade.
Substantial declines have occurred in the populations of this species in recent years due to overexploitation of the timber. Logging is continuing. An increase in fires and conversion of forest to other uses has led to increased habitat fragmentation and a lack of regeneration. The plant is classified as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Western Pacific - New Caledonia.

Habitat

A large emergent tree mainly restricted to areas of lowland rainforest that are mostly on non-ultramafic substrates[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Vulnerable
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	25.00 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 heartwood is a creamy-white or light yellow, often with a pink reflection, turning golden brown on exposure; it is not clearly demarcated from the 8 - 11cm wide band of heartwood. The texture is fine; the grain straight. The wood is light in weight, soft, not very durable, being susceptible to dry wood borers and termites, and moderately susceptible to fungi. The wood seasons well with only a slight risk of checking or distorting; once dried it is stable in service. It works well with normal tools; screwing and nailing are good; gluing is correct. The wood has a wide range of uses, including for cabinet work and high class furniture, interior panelling and joinery, turnery, wood ware, light carpentry, boxes and crates, cooperage, veneer etc[].

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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