Common Name:

General Information

Shorea maxwelliana is a tree with a large, diffuse, cauliflower-shaped crown; it can grow up to 50 metres tall. The straight, cylindrical bole can be up to 160cm in diameter with thin, prominent buttresses up to 4 metres high[].
The tree is one of the main sources of the timber 'Red Balau'. It is commonly harvested from the wild and traded internationally.
The plant is classified as 'Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Southeast Asia - Malaysia, Indonesia.

Habitat

A canopy or emergent tree that is widespread, sometimes common, in mixed dipterocarp forest in low hills on well drained clay-rich soils at elevations up to 700 metres[, ]. Found on a wide range of soils and substrates[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Endangered
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	44.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of lowland areas in the moist tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 700 metres[].
Found on a wide range of soils and substrates in the wild from clays to sandstones[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The wood is very durable[]. It is used for making bridges, wharves, beams and for applications where great strength is required[]. The wood is a source of 'Red Balau' timber. We have no more specific information, but a general description of red balau timber is as follows:-

The heartwood is light to dark red-brown, or purplish red-brown to grey-brown; it is clearly demarcated from the 3 - 8cm wide band of sapwood. The texture is medium; the grain interlocked. The wood is heavy, hard, moderately durable, being resistant to dry wood borers and moderately resistant to fungi and termites. The wood seasons slowly with a high risk of distortion and checking; once dry it is moderately stable in service. It has a fairly high blunting effect upon tools, power-driven stellite-tipped and tungsten carbite tools are recommended; nailing and screwing are good, but pre-boring is necessary to avoid splitting; gluing is correct for interior purposes[]. The wood has a variety of uses including light construction, flooring, exterior joinery, musical instruments, boxes and crates 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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