Common Name:

General Information

Dipterocarpus indicus is an evergreen tree growing up to 40 metres tall[].
The tree is an important commercial source of wood for making plywood. It harvested from the wild both for its timber and its resin.
Although it regenerates prolifically in disturbed areas in the wild, the high degree of exploitation for timber and resin is reducing populations. The plant is classified as 'Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2011)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - southern India.

Habitat

Evergreen, humid, lowland forests at elevations up to 900 metres[, ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Endangered
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	30.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the moist lowland tropics, where it can be found at elevations up to 900 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 22 - 30°c, but can tolerate 13 - 38°c[]. It is killed by temperatures down to 5°c or lower[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 4,000 - 6,000, but tolerates 2,500 - 9,000mm[].
Young trees grow best in a shady position, but require increasing levels of light as they grow larger[]. Succeeds in a wide range of soils so long as they are well-drained[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5 - 6, tolerating 4 - 6.9[].
Trees are intolerant of fire[].
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[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

The tree regenerates prolifically in disturbed areas[] and so could possibly be used as a pioneer[].

Other Uses

An oleoresin is obtained from the wood[]. 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 dark reddish-grey wood is hard, open-grained and not durable[]. It is used in construction and for making plywood[, ].

Propagation

Seed -

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