Common Name:

General Information

Shorea tumbuggaia is a deciduous tree growing up to 18 metres tall, but usually smaller[].
The tree is particularly valued for its timber, and also yields a resin.
The tree has a small range, being found only in southern India, and its habitat is being threatened by conversion to agriculture. It was classified as 'Endangered' in 1997, but is currently (2010) classed as 'Data Deficient'[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - Southern India in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

Habitat

Occurs gregariously on slopes and peaks in dry savannah forest and dry mixed deciduous forest[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Data Deficient
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	12.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 900 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 25 - 35°c, but can tolerate 13 - 43°c[]. When dormant, the plant can survive temperatures down to about 8°c, but young growth can be severely damaged at 10°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 800 - 900mm, but tolerates 750 - 1,000mm[].
Prefers a position in full sun, tolerating light shade[]. Found wild in moderately fertile, well-drained, sandy to loamy soils[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 6, tolerating 4.9 - 7.2[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

A dammar resin is obtained from the stems[, ]. It is used as a substitute for pitch and also for burning in temples[].
Dammar is a hard resin, obtained from various trees of Southeast Asia. Traditionally, it is used for purposes such as caulking boats and baskets, as an adhesive, a medicine, as a fuel for torches and sometimes in foods. Dammar has many commercial applications, though many of these uses are less important nowadays due to the advent of synthetic materials. Commercially, it is an ingredient of inks, lacquers, oil paints, varnishes etc, and is used as a glazing agent in foods[].
Harvesting of the resin commences when the bole is around 25cm in diameter (approx 20 years old). Triangular cuts (becoming circular with age) are arranged in vertical rows around the trunk. The cuts are several centimetres wide at first, but become enlarged at every tapping and eventually become holes of 15 - 20cm in depth and width. The average number of holes for a tree about 30 metres tall and 60 - 80cm in diameter is 9 - 11 in each of 4 - 5 vertical rows. For the higher holes, the tapper climbs the tree supported by a rattan belt and using the lower holes as footholds.
The exuded resin is allowed to dry on the tree before it is collected. The frequency with which the tree is visited to refreshen the cut varies from once a week to once a month, depending on how far the tree is from the village. Tapping can continue for 30 years[].

The wood is smooth. The wood is used for house building, especially door frames, rafters and posts; it is also used for plough handles[]. It is especially in demand for use as house poles[].

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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