Common Name:

General Information

Shorea smithiana is a tree with a large, dense, hemispherical crown; it can grow up to 66 metres tall. The tall, straight, cylindrical bole can be up to 164cm in diameter with stout buttresses up to 2 metres high and outwards[, , ].
This species is one of the main sources of light red meranti timber in Borneo, and is commonly harvested from the wild for international trade[].
The tree is threatened by the current rates of exploitation. 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 - endemic to Borneo, in Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia.

Habitat

An emergent tree in undisturbed mixed dipterocarp forests at elevations up to 400 metres. Mostly found on ridges and hillsides with deep, well-drained sandy-clay soils[, ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Critically Endangered
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	50.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The bark sometimes used as floor cover[].

The trunk contains resin[].

The wood is used[]. The wood from this tree is one of several known as 'light red meranti'. We do not have specific information for this species, but the general description of light red meranti is as follows:-

The heartwood is light red to pink or pink-brown, with white resin streaks; it is clearly demarcated from the 5 - 8cm wide band of sapwood. The texture is medium; the grain interlocked with a ribbon-like aspect; the surface is lustrous. The wood is light in weight, soft, moderately durable, being resistant to dry wood borers, somewhat resistant to fungi and susceptible to termites. The wood seasons well with a slight risk of checking or distortion; once dry it is stable to moderately stable in service. The wood works well with normal tools, though the tools need to be kept sharp because it has a tendency towards woolliness; it generally finishes fairly well, though filling is recommended; screwing and nailing are good; gluing is correct. The wood is used for several purposes including interior and exterior panelling and joinery, light carpentry, boxes and crates, veneer 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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