Common Name:

General Information

Dacrydium xanthandrum can be an evergreen shrub as little as 2 metres tall or, more commonly, a tree up to 36 metres tall. The straight, cylindrical bole can be up to 70cm in diameter[].
The timber of this species is not distinguished from other species of Dacrydium and where large trees occur in the forest, they will probably be logged and traded as 'sempilor' a collective name for several genera and species of Podocarpaceae[].
Despite logging and deforestation, Dacrydium xanthandrum is considered to be too widespread and locally common to be threatened with extinction. There is concern that outside reserves in the area where it is most abundant, in northern Borneo, this species may be in decline due to logging and deforestation at lower elevations. In more remote regions it is probably stable. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southeast Asia - Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines to New Guinea and the Solomon Islands

Habitat

Scattered in primary lowland rainforest, becoming more abundant at higher elevations and often dominant on exposed rocky ridges or in peat soils over acid rocks (dacite, granite, or sandstone) or in nutrient-poor sand; at elevations to 2,700 metres[].

Properties

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

Cultivation Details

Found in the wild on soils that vary from clay to peat, but only becoming abundant in peat over acid rocks (dacite, granite, or sandstone) or nutrient-poor sand, where competition is less[].
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 wood is valued for construction and furniture making[].
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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