Common Name:

General Information

Nageia wallichiana is an evergreen tree with a conical crown of horizontal branches; it usually grows up to 10 metres tall, but specimens up to 54 metres have been recorded. In larger specimens the straight, cylindrical bole can be free of branches for up to 30 metres and up to 60cm in diameter, though it is often much less[, ]. It is in the lowland rainforest that the tree reaches its greatest size, developing a straight bole and lifting its crown into the canopy. It is, however, not a long-lived emergent and boles usually are rather slender without buttresses indicating modest longevity[].
Nageia wallichiana is a highly valued timber tree, especially where it grows into tall, straight trees with a long, clear bole. It is traded as podocarp wood[]. The tree is also harvested from the wild for local medicinal use and is sometimes grown as an ornamental[].
Logging and forest clearing must have had, and still do have, a negative impact on the total population size of mature trees, but it is virtually impossible to quantify this over such a large and diverse area. Despite the significant loss of habitat across all lowland tropical forests within Nageia wallichiana's extensive range, it is still relatively common and widespread. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - southwest China, India, Myanmar, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines.

Habitat

A sub-canopy to canopy tree, scattered but often common in primary rainforest with canopy heights to 50 metres or more, occurring from lowlands to montane forested ridges at elevations to 2,100 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	20.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

This is the most widespread species in the genus Nageia and perhaps also one of the most truly tropical of all conifers, as it occurs near sea level in Dipterocarp forest on the equator as well as being found in subtropical forests[]. Based on data from 64 collection localities, its climate preferences include a mean annual temperature of 24.7°c, with an average minimum in the coldest month of 19°c, and a mean annual precipitation of 2711mm. It is hardy to Zone 9 (cold hardiness limit between -6.6°c and -1.1°c[].
Plants can succeed in soils with low levels of nutrients[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

Leaves are used as a cure for coughs[]. A decoction of the leaves is taken orally as treatment for painful joints[]

Other Uses

A reddish-orange, scented resin exudes from the bole[].

A highly valued wood, it is used for musical instruments, chop sticks, fine crafts, furniture, construction and household tools[]. Long timber is sawn into planks for construction (mainly house building); other uses of the wood are plywood, veneer, interior finishing, and sometimes the construction of small canoes[].
This species is one of several that are traded collectively under the name 'podo'. The general description of podo wood is as follows:-
The heartwood is light yellow with a greenish tinge or light golden brown; it is not clearly demarcated from the sapwood. The texture is very fine and even; the grain is straight. The wood can vary considerably in hardness and density; it is fairly strong; non-durable under exposed conditions. It seasons well without serious degrade. It is easy to work with hand and machine tools; planed surfaces are smooth and lustrous. The wood is suitable for many decorative purposes, interior finishings, panelling, high class furniture and cabinets, fancy plywood and flooring[].
The wood is used for fuel[].

Propagation

Seed - can be sown at any time of the year in a sandy soil, though it is probably best sown as soon as it is ripe[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out when large enough.
Cuttings of half-ripe terminal shoots, 5 - 10cm long in a frame[].

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