Common Name:

General Information

Dipterocarpus costatus is a briefly deciduous tree with a rather open, spherical crown, growing from 25 - 40 metres tall. The straight, cylindrical bole is unbuttressed; it can be free of branches for up to 20 metres and 80 - 110cm in diameter[, , , ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its resin and also for its timber, which is traded internationally.
The plant is classified as 'Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2011)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam.

Habitat

A canopy tree, scattered in hill and upper Dipterocarp forests at elevations from 600 - 1,000 metres in areas with year round rain, but descending to sea level in areas with a dry season[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Endangered
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Semi-deciduous Tree
Height	35.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the moist tropical lowlands, where it can be found at elevations up to 1,000 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 21 - 31°c, though it can tolerate 10 - 38°c[]. It is killed by temperatures of 5°c or lower[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall of 2,800 - 3,500mm, but can tolerate 2,500 - 4,500mm[].
Young trees are very shade tolerant, and can be damaged by too much exposure to the sun. As they grow older, however, they become increasingly intolerant of shade[]. Prefers a medium to heavy soil[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5 - 6, tolerating 4.5 - 6.5[].
Trees are relatively slow-growing[].
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[].
This species hybridizes in the wild with D. Obtusifolius in Thailand and with D. Gracilis in Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The oleo-resin and the bark have medicinal properties[].

Other Uses

A resin is obtained from the trunk. It is valuable in the paint industry, is used as a coat for waterproofing paper; as a varnish for boats, walls and furniture[, ]. 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[, ].

The timber is used for general construction and ship building, but is not durable in the open[]. Because of its resinous nature it is less suitable for flooring and woodwork exposed to the sun[].
The wood can be used to make charcoal[, ].

We have no more specific information on the wood from this species, but the following general description is for the group of timber trees to which this species belongs:-

The heartwood varies from light to dark red-brown or brown to dark brown, sometimes with a purple tint; usually well defined from the gray or buff sapwood[]. The texture is moderately coarse; grain straight or shallowly interlocked; lustre low; strong resinous odour when freshly cut, without taste. Silica content variable, generally less than 0.5%. The wood generally saws and machines well, particularly when green; blunting of cutters can be moderate to severe due to silica content; it is sometimes difficult to glue; resin adhering to machinery and tools may be troublesome. Resin may also interfere with finishes[]. The durability varies with species, the wood is generally classified as moderately durable, but the heartwood is susceptible to termite attack. Though silica content may be high, resistance to marine borers is erratic[]. The wood is used for general construction work, framework for boats, flooring, pallets, chemical
processing equipment, veneer and plywood, suggested for railroad crossties if treated[].

Propagation

Seed -

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