Common Name:

General Information

Vatica odorata is a large, slow-growing, evergreen tree that can reach a height of up to 40 metres. The straight, cylindrical bole can be up to 1 metre in diameter[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its valuable timber.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - southern China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines.

Habitat

Primary forests at elevations of 300 - 900 metres[]. Evergreen and semi-evergreen forests on sandy soil or on old alluvial soil and in open forest as well[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	30.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Young trees grow well in shade, but become light-demanding as they grow larger[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

Although slow growing, the tree is suitable for reforestation projects on (sandy) clay and sloping hill sides[].

Other Uses

The heartwood is brown; the sapwood greyish-white. The wood is hard and heavy, resistant to termites and insects[]. A valuable timber, it is much used in construction, making sleepers, bridges, ferry boats, and planks[].
We have no more information on the wood of this species. However, the following is a general description of the wood for members of this genus;-
The heartwood is yellowish when fresh, turning light to deep red-brown upon exposure; it is generally not sharply demarcated from the lighter coloured sapwood. The texture is rather fine and even; the grain straight or shallowly interlocked; not lustrous; there is no distinctive taste or odour when dry. The heartwood, particularly that of the denser species, is rated as durable to very durable; with a good resistance to termites. It is generally reported to air season slowly, but with some warp and checking. Philippine species are reported to dry well with little degrade. The wood is said to be difficult to saw because of clogging due to gummy resins, otherwise it machines well to a smooth finish; turns well. The wood is used for purposes such as turnery, heavy construction, mining timbers, railroad crossties, boat construction; it is also suggested for flooring, interior joinery, and cabinetwork[].

Propagation

Seed -
Natural regeneration is very prolific under a forest cover of 70 - 90%[].

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