Common Name: Queensland Kauri

General Information

Agathis robusta is a slow-growing but long-lived large evergreen conifer that can reach a height of 25 - 30 metres, exceptionally to 43 metres. The crown is dense, but often small in forest-grown trees, becoming more elongate when trees grow in the open. The straight, cylindrical bole can be free of branches for more than half the height of the tree and 100 - 150cm or more in diameter[, ].
The tree naturally aborts its lower limbs as it grows to form a tall clear bole that was much valued by the early white settlers in Australia. Consequently it was extensively cut down for timber and has now become rare in many areas in the wild[].
The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2011)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Australasia - New Guinea, Bismarck Archipelago, northeast Australia (Queensland.)

Habitat

Drier rainforests from near sea level to 1,500 metres[, ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	45.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Agathis robusta succeeds in warm temperate to tropical regions, being able to tolerate light frosts[].
Prefers a deep, fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or light shade[]. 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

The plant yields a fibre or canes[]. A fibre obtained from the inner bark is used to made ropes and nets[].

The bark yields a resin known as dammar - used for making varnish etc[, ].
Dammar is a hard resin, obtained from various trees of Southeast Asia. Traditionally, it is used for purposes such as caulking boats and baskets, as an adhesive, a medicine, as a fuel for torches and sometimes in foods. Dammar has many commercial applications, though many of these uses are less important nowadays due to the advent of synthetic materials. Commercially, it is an ingredient of inks, lacquers, oil paints, varnishes etc, and is used as a glazing agent in foods[].
Harvesting of the resin commences when the bole is around 25cm in diameter (approx 20 years old). Triangular cuts (becoming circular with age) are arranged in vertical rows around the trunk. The cuts are several centimetres wide at first, but become enlarged at every tapping and eventually become holes of 15 - 20cm in depth and width. The average number of holes for a tree about 30 metres tall and 60 - 80cm in diameter is 9 - 11 in each of 4 - 5 vertical rows. For the higher holes, the tapper climbs the tree supported by a rattan belt and using the lower holes as footholds.
The exuded resin is allowed to dry on the tree before it is collected. The frequency with which the tree is visited to refreshen the cut varies from once a week to once a month, depending on how far the tree is from the village. Tapping can continue for 30 years[].

The heartwood is a pale cream, golden brown, to dark reddish or yellowish brown if resinous; it is usually not distinct from the sapwood[]. The wood is lustrous; the grain mainly straight; texture fine and uniform; generally without distinctive odour or taste[]. It is soft, strong, somewhat durable, vulnerable to termite attack and prone to blue stain[, , ]. It works easily with hand and machine tools, finishes with a clean smooth surface; has good nailing and screwing properties; good veneer peeling characteristics; paints and polishes well; easy to glue[]. It is used for a range of purposes, including vats and tanks, patternmaking, millwork, boatbuilding, furniture components, face veneers, shingles and pencil slats[].

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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