Common Name: Copal

General Information

Copal is a medium to large tree with a thick bole; it can grow up to 30 metres tall, but more commonly to 20 metres[, ].
The tree is commonly harvested from the wild, especially in Guatemala, for its resin which is much used as an incense. In past times the tree was cultivated for this resin, though nowadays it is only harvested from the wild. The resin is commonly sold in local markets[, ].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Central America - Honduras, Belize, Guatemala and Mexico.

Habitat

Moist or wet forest, chiefly at elevations of 350 metres or less[]. Mainly found in tropical rainforest and tropical evergreen forest; less frequently in tropical dry forest and cloud forest. Its preferred habitat is primary forest[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	25.00 m
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant mainly of lowland areas in the tropics, being found usually at elevations below 600 metres, but exceptionally to 2,000 metres.

Most, if not all, species in this genus are dioecious, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - seldom eaten and not highly appreciated[].

Medicinal

The resin obtained from the tree is used to make medicinal ointments[, ].

Other Uses

A resin is obtained from the stems[]. It is used as an incense, varnish and medicine[, ]. It gives off a fragrant aroma as it burns[].
This tree is believed to be the principal source of the copal or pom that is used in such large amounts in Guatemala in religious rites, especially by the Indians of the highlands[]. It probably has figured in the religious ceremonies of the Mayan people for many centuries[].

The wood is used for multiple purposes, including the construction of rural houses, and for making poles, furniture and small boats[].
The wood is used for fuel[].
We have no more information on the wood of this species, but a general description of the wood for tropical American members of this genus is as follows:-
The heartwood is brown or reddish-brown, sometimes with irregularly spaced darker brown lines; it is not always sharply demarcated from the pale buff to pinkish sapwood. The texture varies from rather fine to fairly coarse; grain straight to very irregular and interlocked; lustre is rather high; dry specimens are without any distinctive odour or taste. Silica is reported for some species. The wood is generally reported to have a low resistance to attack by decay fungi and is vulnerable to dry-wood termites; it has no appreciable resistance to marine borers. Reports on seasoning vary from fairly easy to air dry to moderately difficult. Logs should be debarked prior to sawing to avoid resin accumulation
on cutters and equipment. The dry wood works easily and rates fair to good in all operations; it cuts easily into veneers but tends to buckle on drying; some species are abrasive because of the silica content. The wood is used for purposes such as furniture, millwork, veneer and plywood, general construction, particleboard; it is a possible substitute for birch[].

Propagation

Seed -

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