Common Name:

General Information

Protium giganteum is an evergreen tree with a dense, spreading crown; it can grow up to 28 metres tall. The straight bole can be free of branches for up to 10 metres, and up to 52cm in diameter[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use of its wood.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Brazil, Peru, Venezuela, the Guyanas.

Habitat

Forests[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	23.00 m
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

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

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

We have no specific information for this species, but many members of this genus are valued for the whitish and fragrant resin (suggesting incense) that exudes freely from the bark, and which hardens upon exposure to the air[].

The heartwood is a dark, reddish-brown; it is clearly demarcated from the deep, pinkish-brown sapwood. The texture is medium; the grain straight or roey. The wood is heavy, hard, strong, compact and durable. It is not difficult to work and takes a smooth polish. It is used for general construction[].
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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