Common Name:

General Information

Dipterocarpus retusus is a deciduous tree growing up to 40 metres tall. The straight, cylindrical bole can be free of branches for 15 - 20 metres and 100 - 150cm in diameter[, ].
A large timber tree, commonly harvested from the wild, it is planted as a timber crop in northern Vietnam. It is also planted as an ornamental and shade-providing tree along streets or in parks[].
In China, the species is confined to an area of 30 km² in Yingjiang, where a nature reserve has been set up. The populations in Vietnam, restricted to northern evergreen or monsoon forests, have been reduced to at least half their original size. The plant is classified as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2011)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - southern China, India, Malaysia, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam.

Habitat

Moist evergreen, sometimes semi-deciduous, montane forest[]. Moist evergreen mid-mountain forests, at elevations of 800 - 1,300 metres, descending to lower elevations in seasonal areas, and as low as 100 metres in Assam[]

Properties

Conservation Status	Vulnerable
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	30.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of low to moderate elevations in the tropics and subtropics, where it can be found at elevations from 100 - 1,300 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 22 - 30°c, though it can tolerate 5 - 38°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall of 2,500 - 3,500mm, tolerating 1,550 - 4,550mm[].
Young trees grow best in shade, but require increasing levels of light as they grow larger[]. Prefers a deep, fertile, well-drained soil[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5 - 5.5, tolerating 4.5 - 6[].
Natural regeneration is good in secondary forest[].
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[].
Trees are not resistant to forest fires[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The resin from the trunk is applied to wounds to help the healing process[].

Other Uses

An oleo-resin is obtained from the trunk[]. It is used medicinally; to make torches for lighting; for caulking boats; as a coat for waterproofing paper; and 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 wood is heavy, soft, not very durable in contact with the ground and susceptible to termite and insect attack. It is used for construction and making furniture[, , ]. 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[].

Propagation

Seed -

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