Common Name:

General Information

Shorea laxa is a tree with a dense, hemispherical crown; it can grow up to 50 metres tall. The straight, cylindrical bole can be up to 160cm in diameter with stout buttresses up to 250cm high[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its wood, which is a source of 'yellow meranti' timber and is commonly 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, Brunei (the tree is endemic to northern Borneo).

Habitat

A canopy to emergent tree in mixed dipterocarp forests, growing on deep yellow sandy soils of coastal hills comprised of soft neogene sandstone or ultrabasic substrates; at elevations up to 400 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Critically Endangered
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	40.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The tree is a source of 'yellow meranti' timber[]. We do not have a specific description for the wood of this species, but a general description of yellow meranti is as follows:-
The heartwood is light yellow to yellow-brown, sometimes with greenish tints and darkening upon exposure to air; it is not clearly demarcated from the 6 - 8cm wide band of sapwood. The texture is medium; the grain straight or interlocked, sometimes wavy. The wood is light in weight, soft, moderately durable, but susceptible to attacks by fungi, dry wood borers and termites. Drying rate is normal to slow with a slight risk of checking or distortion, once dried it is stable in service. The wood works well with ordinary tools, though filling is recommended to obtain a good finish; gluing is correct; it takes screws and nails well. The wood is used for purposes such as interior joinery and panelling, furniture, light carpentry, flooring and veneer[].

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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