Common Name:

General Information

Agathis silbae is an evergreen tree with a broad crown of long, spreading and ascending branches; it usually grows up to 35 metres tall, occasionally reaching 60 metres. The straight, cylindrical bole can be up to 200cm in diameter, free of branches for 10 metres or more[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for commercial use of its timber.
Agathis silbae is currently only known from a very limited area on the island of Espiritu Santo. The extent of occurrence, the area of occupancy, and the number of locations are all within the thresholds for Endangered. However there is still insufficient evidence of recent or ongoing decline to fully meet the requirements for such an assessment. The recent surveys also indicate that listing as Vulnerable would be inappropriate. Due to its limited distribution, logging is a potential threat unless carefully managed. Unrestricted exploitation would warrant an immediate listing as Endangered. The plant is classified as 'Near Threatened' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Pacific - Vanuatu (Espiritu Santo)

Habitat

An emergent large tree in tropical lower montane rainforest on the wetter, western and northwestern slopes of the central mountain range of Espiritu Santo[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Near Threatened
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	30.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Agathis silbae is native to the wet tropics in the Pacific. It experiences a mean annual rainfall of around 4,500mm[].
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

A resin obtained from the tree is used medicinally[].

Other Uses

A resin is obtained from the trunk, branches and cones. It has been used for lighting, caulking canoes etc[].
The resin is burnt and the smoke used in tattooing[].
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 timber is similar in appearance and properties to other Agathis species[].
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[].

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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