Common Name:

General Information

Dacrydium pectinatum is an evergreen tree with numerous branchlets forming a dense rounded crown; it can grow from 3 - 40 metres tall[]. The bole can be up to 300cm in diameter in matrue trees[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local and commercial use of its wood.
Population decline of this species has certainly occurred in the past due to deforestation, but most of the decline is occurring at present and projected in the future. Massive conversion of lowland forest (kerangas) on the coastal plains of Sabah, Sarawak and Kalimantan to oil palm plantations has reduced this species probably to 20% of its former area of occupancy. This threat is ongoing and may result in total disappearance in those areas given over to oil palms. Deforestation elsewhere comes on top of that. The plant is classified as 'Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - southern China (Hainan), Philippines, Malaysia (Sabah, Sarawak), Indonesia (Kalimantan, Sumatera)

Habitat

Scattered in lowland to montane rainforests, forming more dense to pure stands on nutrient-poor soils like shallow, leached sands, or in swamps with peat formation above the water table; at elevations to 800 metres, occasionally to 1,500 metres[].

Properties

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

Cultivation Details

The plant can occur in the wild on ultrabasic soils supporting an open, low vegetation of shrubs and ferns, where trees remain small[]. The forest on nutrient-poor sandy soils are known as kerangas and the poorest sites may only support 'heath forest' dominated by this conifer and Gymnostoma (Casuarinaceae) which looks in habit like a conifer[]
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 is used locally for house construction. In Hainan it was commonly used for shipbuilding but is now too rare[, ].
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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