Common Name:

General Information

Dacrydium cornwallianum is an evergreen tree with an elongated dense fastigate crown; it can grow 10 - 30 metres tall[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use of its wood.
Despite the disjunct ('fragmented') nature of the global population in four localities, there is no sign of a decline in the past or present. It seems likely that the disjunction is a result of contraction, but this must have happened long ago and it is doubtful that human activities played a role in this. There is no commercial exploitation or degradation of the habitat at present. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Australasia - New Guinea

Habitat

Dominant to nearly pure stands in swamp forests and perhaps also in mossy heath forests; at elevations from 1,450 - 2,300 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	20.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The timber of this species may be locally used for construction of traditional houses in the villages of the highland areas in western New Guinea[].
The wood of the various Dacrydium species is jointly known as 'sempilor'. The basic description is as follows:-
The heartwood is buff in colour, sometimes with a pink tinge or golden brown; it is not differentiated from the sapwood. The texture is very fine and even; the grain straight. The wood is reputed to be weak; it is light to moderately heavy in weight; it is not durable and is subject to drywood termite attacks. It seasons well without serious degrade; shrinkage is very high; a slight to moderate twisting may occasionally occur. The wood works very easily; it produces a smooth and somewhat lustrous surface; gluing, nailing and peeling properties are satisfactory. A softwood, it should be suitable for decorative works and can be used for panelling, partitioning, veneers, plywood, joinery and furniture making[].

Propagation

The seed can be sown at any time of the year in a sandy soil in a warm greenhouse, though it is probably best sown as soon as it is ripe[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on until large enough to plant out.
Cuttings of half-ripe terminal shoots, 5 - 10cm long[].

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