Common Name:

General Information

Shorea dealbata is a tree that can grow up to 30 metres tall. The straight, cylindrical bole is up to 60cm in diameter with low, stout buttresses[, ].
The tree is a source of 'white meranti' timber; it is often harvested from the wild and traded[].
The plant is classified as 'Critically Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Southeast Asia - Malaysia, Indonesia.

Habitat

A canopy tree that can be very locally frequent in kerangas forests on yellow sandy soils on coastal hills and flat, sometimes swampy land; at elevations up to 600 metres[, ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Critically Endangered
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	0.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

The plant is often found in the wild in Kerangas forest - a type of moist, heath forest found on acidic, sandy soils that are low in nutrients, especially nitrogen[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

This species is a source of 'white meranti' timber[]. We do not have any specific information on the wood of this species, but a general description of white meranti timber is as follows:-
The heartwood is creamy white, becoming yellow-brown with age; it is not clearly demarcated from the sapwood. The texture is medium; the grain straight or interlocked with a ribbon-like aspect on quartersawn wood. The wood is of medium weight, moderately hard, moderately durable, being susceptible to fungi, dry wood borers and termites. The drying rate is normal to rapid with a slight risk of distortion; once dry it is stable in service. The wood has a high silica content and is hard to work, requiring stellite-tipped and tungsten-carbide tools; there is a tendency to woolliness, and filling is required to obtain a good finish; nailing and screwing are good, but require pre-boring; gluing is correct[]. The wood is used for purposes such as light constructions, plywood and veneer, as door and window frames, and for posts, beams, joists, rafters, planking, light flooring, ceiling, furniture, boat building etc[].

Propagation

We have no specific information for this species - the information below is a general guide for the genus.

Seed - best sown as soon as possible. It does not require pre-treatment, but it is recommended to soak the seed for 12 hours prior to sowing[]. The seeds are sown in seedbeds, where they are covered with a mixture of sand and soil (1:1) or with a thin layer of sawdust[]. Germination of fresh seeds is usually good and rapid. About two weeks after germination, when the seedlings are 5 - 6cm tall, they are potted up into individual containers about 15 x 23cm with good drainage holes at their base[]. It is normally recommended to use a mixture of forest soil and sand (at a ratio of 3:1) as the potting medium in order to introduce the appropriate mycorrhiza to the roots. The seedlings are placed in 50 - 60% sunlight and watered twice daily[].
Seedlings can be planted out when 30 - 40cm tall - harden the seedlings off in full sunlight for one month prior to planting[].

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