Common Name:

General Information

Dipterocarpus tuberculatus is a deciduous tree, usually with a large but open crown, generally growing 15 - 25 metres tall, occasionally to 30 metres on good soils. The bole is short, cylindrical, straight but sometimes gnarled, generaly 40 - 60cm in diameter. The stem form is usually very good on good soils[].
The tree yields a resin and a valuable timber and is commonly harvested from the wild.
The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2011)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam.

Habitat

A canopy tree of forests on the plains and low hills[]. Open, dry, deciduous dipterocarp forests, developing pure stands or mixed with Dipterocarpus obtusifolius and Dipterocarpus intricatus, at elevations from 200 - 1,000 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	20.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of tropical monsoon climates, where it can be found at elevations up to 1,000 metres. It is found in areas with a dry season of 3 - 6 months[].
Young trees grow best in the shade of the forest, but become increasingly light-demanding as they grow larger[]. The plant is found in the wild on various soil types, but commonly on sandy soil. It grows very well on deep and fertile soils and is also found on acidic lateritic soils[]. Established plants are very drought tolerant[].
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[].
Plants are very tolerant of forest fires[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The resin obtained from the tree is used in traditional medicine, where it is mixed with Feaula assafoetida and coconut oil as an external application for large ulcers[]..

Other Uses

A thick oleo-resin is obtained from the trunk[]. It is used traditionally for caulking boats and for making torches; whilst it can also be blended with paints[, ]. 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[, ].

Large mature leaves of young trees are used for thatching roofs. The leaves are not flammable, nor susceptible to insects, and can last for up to three years[].

The heartwood is a dark, red-brown; it is clearly demarcated from the grey sapwood. The wood is heavy, hard, fairly durable. Generally easy to work, but difficult to polish. Of good quality, it is used in general construction, for making beams, boards, furniture, and for building boats[, ].

Propagation

Seed -

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