Dipterocarpus alatus
Roxb. ex G.Don
Dipterocarpaceae
Dipterocarpus gonopterus Turcz.
Dipterocarpus incanus Roxb.
Dipterocarpus lemeslei Vesque
Dipterocarpus philippensis Foxw.
Dipterocarpus unesbi Vesque
Common Name: Apitong
Looking up the trunk to the canopy
Photograph by: josh jackson
Creative Commons Attribution 2.0
General Information
Apitong is a medium-sized to fairly large evergreen tree with an umbrella-like crown, that can grow up to 40 metres tall, and exceptionally to 55 metres[
303- Title
- World Agroforesty Centre
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
,
,
]. It has a tall, straight, cylindrical bole up to 150cm in diameter that can be branchless for up to 20 metres[
303- Title
- World Agroforesty Centre
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
,
320- Title
- Trees Commonly Cultivated in SE Asia
- Publication
-
- Author
- Jensen. M.
- Publisher
- FAO Regional Office, Bangkok.
- Year
- 1999
- ISBN
- 974-89377-5-5
- Description
-
,
598- Title
- Trees of Laos and Vietnam - A Field Guide to 100 species.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Hoang Van Sam; Khamseng Nanthavong; Kessler P.J.A.
- Publisher
- Blumea
- Year
- 2004
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A detailed guide, with excellent line-drawings, to 100 of the more important trees of Laos and Vietnam. A very good work, giving lots of information about each plant. Originally published in the journal Blumea, it is available as a PDF on the Interne
].
One of the most important timber species of southern Asia, it is extensively logged commercially, whilst the tree is also valued for its essential oil and oleoresin[
303- Title
- World Agroforesty Centre
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
,
]. It is often planted as a shade-giving avenue tree in Vietnam[
598- Title
- Trees of Laos and Vietnam - A Field Guide to 100 species.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Hoang Van Sam; Khamseng Nanthavong; Kessler P.J.A.
- Publisher
- Blumea
- Year
- 2004
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A detailed guide, with excellent line-drawings, to 100 of the more important trees of Laos and Vietnam. A very good work, giving lots of information about each plant. Originally published in the journal Blumea, it is available as a PDF on the Interne
].
The tree is threatened by habitat loss and is listed as 'Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2009)[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
Known Hazards
The dust of the wood causes boils[
303- Title
- World Agroforesty Centre
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
].
Botanical References
Range
E. Asia - Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Philippines.
Habitat
A canopy tree that occurs gregariously along river banks, and in mixed dipterocarp forest[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
]. Native to both evergreen and dry deciduous forests[
303- Title
- World Agroforesty Centre
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
].
Properties
Conservation Status | Endangered |
Medicinal Rating | |
Other Uses Rating | |
Habit | Evergreen Tree |
Height | 30.00 m |
Cultivation Status | Cultivated, Wild |
Cultivation Details
A plant of the lowland tropics where it is found at elevations up to 500 metres[
303- Title
- World Agroforesty Centre
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
]. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 22 - 32°c, though it can tolerate 10 - 36°c[
]. It can be killed at temperatures of 5°c[
]. According to one report, it prefers a mean annual rainfall of 1,100 - 2,200mm, uniformly spread through the year[
]. Another report says it has a preferred rainfall of 3,500 - 4,500mm, but can tolerate 3,000 - 5,200mm[
].
The plant, especially when young, is very tolerant to shade and seedlings can survive under heavy shade for years[
]. As trees grow older, they become more light-demanding[
598- Title
- Trees of Laos and Vietnam - A Field Guide to 100 species.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Hoang Van Sam; Khamseng Nanthavong; Kessler P.J.A.
- Publisher
- Blumea
- Year
- 2004
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A detailed guide, with excellent line-drawings, to 100 of the more important trees of Laos and Vietnam. A very good work, giving lots of information about each plant. Originally published in the journal Blumea, it is available as a PDF on the Interne
]. Found mainly on alluvial soils in the wild[
303- Title
- World Agroforesty Centre
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
]. Prefers a pH in the range 5 - 6.5, tolerating 4.5 - 7[
].
Members of this genus generally only regenerate naturally in the shade of the forest. Seedlings and saplings can persist in dense forest shade for many years. In their first 2 years the young plants cannot tolerate major openings in the canopy, but after they are well established (about 120cm tall) the canopy can be opened up around them to speed up their growth[
404- Title
- Digital Compendium of Forestry Species of Cambodia
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.digitalspecies.blogspot.com
- Publisher
- www.digitalspecies.blogspot.com; Phnom Penh
- Year
- 2008
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A very detailed booklet, produced in PDF format on the internet, giving information on around 100 species of trees.
].
Annual production of oleoresin per tapped tree is between 23 and 31 litres[
303- Title
- World Agroforesty Centre
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
].
Trees have a thin bark and are very sensitive to damage by fire[
].
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
The resin obtained from the trunk is disinfectant, laxative, diuretic, mildly stimulant. It is used in analgesic liniments and can be mixed with bee wax then used as an antiseptic in bandages on ulcerated wounds[
404- Title
- Digital Compendium of Forestry Species of Cambodia
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.digitalspecies.blogspot.com
- Publisher
- www.digitalspecies.blogspot.com; Phnom Penh
- Year
- 2008
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A very detailed booklet, produced in PDF format on the internet, giving information on around 100 species of trees.
].
The bark of the young tree, provided with 2 - 4 leaves, is believed to have medicinal virtues against rheumatism and diseases of the liver[
404- Title
- Digital Compendium of Forestry Species of Cambodia
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.digitalspecies.blogspot.com
- Publisher
- www.digitalspecies.blogspot.com; Phnom Penh
- Year
- 2008
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A very detailed booklet, produced in PDF format on the internet, giving information on around 100 species of trees.
].
Agroforestry Uses:
The tree is a rapid colonizer of alluvial soils along the sides of rivers - it is used as a pioneer in forestry planting schemes to restore wasteland and establish woodlands[
303- Title
- World Agroforesty Centre
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
,
320- Title
- Trees Commonly Cultivated in SE Asia
- Publication
-
- Author
- Jensen. M.
- Publisher
- FAO Regional Office, Bangkok.
- Year
- 1999
- ISBN
- 974-89377-5-5
- Description
-
].
The tree is used as a soil improver[
303- Title
- World Agroforesty Centre
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
]. The organic matter and NPK content of soils under the tree canopy have been shown to be higher than in soils further away from the tree[
303- Title
- World Agroforesty Centre
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
]. The tree is commonly intercropped with fruit trees[
404- Title
- Digital Compendium of Forestry Species of Cambodia
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.digitalspecies.blogspot.com
- Publisher
- www.digitalspecies.blogspot.com; Phnom Penh
- Year
- 2008
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A very detailed booklet, produced in PDF format on the internet, giving information on around 100 species of trees.
].
Other Uses
An oleoresin is obtained by tapping the tree[
303- Title
- World Agroforesty Centre
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
]. Yields are good, but the resin is rather thin[
146- Title
- A Manual of Indian Timbers.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Gamble. J. S.
- Publisher
- Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh
- Year
- 1972
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- First written in the 19th century, but still a classic, giving a lot of information on the uses and habitats of Indian trees. Not for the casual reader.
,
439- Title
- The Commercial Products of India.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Watts. Sir George.
- Publisher
- John Murray, London.
- Year
- 1908
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A classic, with a comprehensive (as then known) listing of useful plants that were traded commercially at that time. It can be downloaded from various sites on the Internet.
]. It is used by indigenous people for illumination and waterproofing baskets and boats[
303- Title
- World Agroforesty Centre
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
,
]. Industrially, it is used for (zinc-based) paint; printing ink industries; varnish for walls and furniture; and lacquer; it can even be used as a fuel in diesel engines[
303- Title
- World Agroforesty Centre
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
,
404- Title
- Digital Compendium of Forestry Species of Cambodia
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.digitalspecies.blogspot.com
- Publisher
- www.digitalspecies.blogspot.com; Phnom Penh
- Year
- 2008
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A very detailed booklet, produced in PDF format on the internet, giving information on around 100 species of trees.
]. The resin is obtained by cutting a hole in the trunk near the base (about 90 - 150cm from the ground) and then dipping out the resin with a spoon as it collects there. To prolong the flow, a fire made from dead leaves or brushwood is made in the hole at intervals - this burns off the dried resinous film and allows the resin to flow again[
64- Title
- Vegetable Gums and Resins.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Howes. F. N.
- Publisher
- Faber
- Year
-
- ISBN
- 81-88818-17-8
- Description
- A very good book dealing with the subject in a readable way.
,
146- Title
- A Manual of Indian Timbers.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Gamble. J. S.
- Publisher
- Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh
- Year
- 1972
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- First written in the 19th century, but still a classic, giving a lot of information on the uses and habitats of Indian trees. Not for the casual reader.
].
An essential oil, called yaang oil, is obtained from the plant. It is used as a fixative in perfumes[
303- Title
- World Agroforesty Centre
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
].
The heartwood is reddish-gray; the sapwood white[
146- Title
- A Manual of Indian Timbers.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Gamble. J. S.
- Publisher
- Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh
- Year
- 1972
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- First written in the 19th century, but still a classic, giving a lot of information on the uses and habitats of Indian trees. Not for the casual reader.
]. The wood is rather hard, fine-grained, easy to saw and polish[
598- Title
- Trees of Laos and Vietnam - A Field Guide to 100 species.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Hoang Van Sam; Khamseng Nanthavong; Kessler P.J.A.
- Publisher
- Blumea
- Year
- 2004
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A detailed guide, with excellent line-drawings, to 100 of the more important trees of Laos and Vietnam. A very good work, giving lots of information about each plant. Originally published in the journal Blumea, it is available as a PDF on the Interne
]. It is not very durable in contact with the ground[
]. One of the most important commercial timber species, next to teak, in Thailand[
303- Title
- World Agroforesty Centre
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
]. The wood is used for construction, railway sleepers, boats, pulp and a number of other purposes[
,
598- Title
- Trees of Laos and Vietnam - A Field Guide to 100 species.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Hoang Van Sam; Khamseng Nanthavong; Kessler P.J.A.
- Publisher
- Blumea
- Year
- 2004
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A detailed guide, with excellent line-drawings, to 100 of the more important trees of Laos and Vietnam. A very good work, giving lots of information about each plant. Originally published in the journal Blumea, it is available as a PDF on the Interne
]. Because of its resinous nature, it is less suitable for flooring or being exposed to the sun[
].
The wood is used for fuel and to make charcoal[
404- Title
- Digital Compendium of Forestry Species of Cambodia
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.digitalspecies.blogspot.com
- Publisher
- www.digitalspecies.blogspot.com; Phnom Penh
- Year
- 2008
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A very detailed booklet, produced in PDF format on the internet, giving information on around 100 species of trees.
,
].
The tree is an important source of keruing timber. In addition to the information above, a general description of keruing timber is as follows:-
The heartwood is light red to red brown or purplish red brown; it is clearly demarcated from the 5 - 7cm wide band of sapwood. The texture is coarse; the grain straight or interlocked. The wood is moderately heavy to heavy; moderately hard; somewhat durable, being resistant to dry wood borers, fairly resistant to fungi but susceptible to termites. It seasons slowly, with a high risk of checking and distortion; once dry it is poorly stable to moderately stable in service. It has a high blunting effect on tools due to the presence of silica, stellite-tipped and tungsten carbide tools are recommended; some species are very resinous and can clog tools; there is occasional tearing on quartersawn wood; nailing and screwing are good, but require pre-boring; gluing is correct, but care is required because of the resin. A general construction timber, it is used in carpentry, panelling, joinery, floors, timber frame houses, boxes and crates, veneer etc[
848- Title
- Tropix 7
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://tropix.cirad.fr/en
- Publisher
- CIRAD
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An on-line guide to the timbers of 245 species of trees.
].
Propagation
Seed - it has a short viability and so should be sown as soon as it is ripe[
]. No pre-treatment is required. Sow the seeds in a nursery seedbed, germination usually commences within 4 - 7 days at 25°c[
303- Title
- World Agroforesty Centre
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
,
]. Seedlings are ready to plant out when they are 30cm tall, which takes about 8 - 12 months[
].
Seed storage behaviour is intermediate, the lowest safe moisture content is 17 %, no seeds survive further desiccation to 8 % moisture content[
303- Title
- World Agroforesty Centre
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
]. At 12 % moisture content, only 36 % germination occurred after 939 days hermetic storage at -18°c compared to 80 % viability before storage[
303- Title
- World Agroforesty Centre
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
].
Cuttings taken from coppice shoots produced after hedging rooted successfully with 44.5% rooting, indicating the potential for mass production of rooted cuttings from hedge orchards[
303- Title
- World Agroforesty Centre
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.worldagroforestry.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
].