Common Name:

General Information

Dacrydium elatum is an evergreen tree with a large, billowy, rounded crown, that can range in height from 8 - 40 metres[]. The straight bole can be 100cm in diameter[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for its timber and local medicinal uses. It is a major source of 'sempilor' timber, used commercially in construction, furniture making etc.
Despite some decline in parts of its range, the very wide distribution of this species means that it is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Southeast Asia - China (Guangxi), Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Habitat

Scattered in moist rain-forest, from sea-level but mostly above several hundred metres, up to 1,700 metres, growing most abundantly in open situations indicating a preference for disturbed conditions[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	25.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Grows at low to medium elevations in the moist tropics. Within its range, the mean annual temperature is 21.2°c, with an average minimum in the coldest month of 12.7c. It can tolerate occasional, short-lived temperatures falling to around -1°c and +4.4°c[]. The mean annual precipitation is around 2,095 mm[].
Requires a sunny position[]. Grows best in a moist, yellow soil[]. The plant can be locally common when growing on infertile or poorly drained fields[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

An essential oil from the wood is used to treat stomach ache[].

Other Uses

The wood is distilled to yield an essential oil[]. It is also used in joss stick making[].

The yellowish wood has a fine and straight grain; is light in weight; soft; slightly perfumed; resistant to bending and pressing[, ]. It is used in bridges, boats, shipbuilding, construction and fine art making[].
This species is a major source of 'sempilor' timber. 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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