Common Name: Gutta-Percha

General Information

Palaquium gutta is an evergreen tree usually growing up to 25 metres tall, but with some specimens up to 45 metres[, , ]. It has a columnar bole up to 60 cm in diameter, usually with small buttresses[].
This species is the main source of gutta-percha, a latex that was at one time widely employed as an insulator and for making a wide range of items. Its use has been largely replaced by synthetic materials, though it still has a range of applications and is cultivated in Indonesia[]. The tree also supplies an oil and a useful timber that is sometimes traded under the name 'Nyatoh'.
Although Palaquium gutta has a wide range, there has been 17% tree cover loss within its range during a 16 year period. Based on this there is a projected continuing decline in the extent and quality of habitat and a suspected population decline.which would most likely be 25-30% if calculated for three generation lengths rather than 16 years. The plant is classified as 'Near Threatened' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2018)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southeast Asia - Malaysia, Indonesia.

Habitat

Lowland and hill forest, growing in both dipterocarp and limestone forest as well as in kerangas[, ]. It usually occurs scattered in lowland forest, but can be found at elevations up to 1,600 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Near Threatened
Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	20.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Gutta percha is a plant of mainly lowland areas in the moist tropics, with or without a dry season, though it can be found at elevations up to 1,600 metres[]. It grows best in areas where the mean annual temperature falls within the range 24 - 30°c, but can tolerate 17 - 38°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 2,000 - 3,000mm, tolerating 1,500 - 4,000mm[].
Prefers a sunny position[]. Grows best in a deep, fertile, well-drained soil[]. Requires a loose and well aerated soil rich in organic matter[]. Prefers a pH in the range 6 - 7, but tolerates 5.5 - 8[].
In Peninsular Malaysia, trees have a mean annual diameter increment of 1.2 cm and attain a height of about 8 metres in 7 years, 17 metres in 23 years and a diameter of about 50 cm in 50 years[].
Higher latex yields are obtained by tapping the upper portion of the trunk and branches than by tapping the lower part[]. Yields of gutta-percha per tree are also very variable. About 1.5 kg was reported to be a good average yield for destructive harvesting. The latex yield obtained by tapping living trees is much lower. The approximate gutta-percha yield per ha was 450 kg (2.3% from treated leaves) in 1920; a recent estimate from the company exploiting the Cipetir plantation was only 20 kg/ha annually, probably because of the extensive way of exploitation nowadays[].

Edible Uses

The seeds contain a fat that is sometimes used for cooking[, ].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

This species is the main source of gutta-percha[]. Gutta-percha is a natural latex obtained from the sap of the tree. Allowing this fluid to evaporate and coagulate in the sun produces a hard, durable, non-brittle but non-elastic latex which can be made flexible again when heated to temperatures over 50°c, and then retains any form given while cooling. Prior to the advent of synthetic materials, gutta-percha had a wide range of uses - most particularly as an insulating material for electricity wiring and for underwater telegraph wires, a purpose for which it is very well suited since it is bio-inert and so is not attacked by marine plants or animals. Gutta-percha can be moulded into any shape and has been used to make items such as ornate furniture, pistol grips, acid-resistant receptacles and ‘mourning’ jewellery, where its dark colour was an advantage. It has been widely used as the core of golf balls and is still used in modern dentistry where its bio-inertness makes it ideal as a temporary filling for teeth and as a filling material inside tooth fillings[, , ]. It is used locally for fixing tools into their handles[]. Leaves of about 10 months of age are considered to be the source of the best quality latex[, ].

The seeds contain 58 - 63% fat used for the manufacture of soaps and candles[, ].

The timber is used for planks that are not exposed to the weather or ground; for panelling; and for the manufacture of fine furniture, decorative doors and veneers[, ].
We do not have any more specific information on the wood of this species, but it belongs to a group of timbers collectively called 'Nyatoh'[]. The general description of nyatoh wood is as follows:-
The heartwood is a dark pink to a red-brown; it is clearly demarcated from the 4 - 9cm wide band of lighter-coloured sapwood. The texture is medium; the grain straight or interlocked, sometimes wavy. The wood is light in weight, soft to moderately hard; strong, somewhat durable, being resistant to dry wood borers, moderately resistant to fungi but susceptible to termites. It seasons somewhat slowly, with a high risk of checking and distortion; once dry it is stable in service. There is a very variable content of silica according to the species, but in general the wood has a high blunting effect so stellite-tipped and tungsten-carbide tools are recommended; nailing and screwing are good, but require pre-boring; gluing is correct. The wood has a range of applications, including for high class furniture and cabinet making, solid doors, panelling, joinery, parquet flooring, boat decking, light carpentry, turnery, moulding and veneer[, ].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe since it loses its viability within 2 - 8 weeks[]. Fresh seed has a germination rate of 75 - 85%[]. Seed should be sown in deep nursery beds, as the seedlings quickly develop a strong taproot[]. Young plants need shade and plenty of water, they grow quite rapidly and are ready for planting out when about 25 cm tall[]. Mortality after planting out is usually high at up to 35%[].

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