Dryobalanops spp.
Specifications
Family
Dipterocarpaceae
Species
Dryobalanops spp.
Borneo camphorwood
camphor tree
malay camphor
Description
The sapwood is yellowish or pinkish-brown, clearly differentiated from the heartwood, which is pink or reddish when fresh, turning reddish brown upon drying. The texture is medium to coarse, and the grain is often interwoven. The strong camphor-like odor is very characteristic. The density varies between 0.63 and 0.94 depending on the species. The presence of silica in the tissues causes the rods to quickly dull during processing.
Plant morphology
Species belonging to this genus can reach 80 m in height, with a resinous, columnar stem up to 2 m in diameter. The bark is smooth and gray-brown. The leaves are simple, alternate, with prominent veins. The flowers are small and clustered in the leaf axils. The fruit is very distinctive and has five wings.
Natural occurrence
Countries of origin and distribution
Southeast Asia: Sumatra Island, Malay Peninsula, Borneo.
Habitat and ecology
These plants grow mainly in primary formations on almost pure sandy substrates above 300 m altitude; in secondary formations they are to be considered residual elements.
Uses
Use class
CU1
CU2
CU3
CU4
CU5
Application areas
It is used in heavy constructions, including outdoor construction, vehicle parts, boats, fixtures, floors, heavy furniture, and handles.
Threats and Conservation
Threats
The main threats to these species are habitat loss and degradation and overharvesting for the international market. The lowland dipterocarp forest is in sharp decline, both in terms of area and environmental quality. In Borneo, the reduction in forest cover has reached 49.5%. Other factors contributing to the decline include the expansion of agricultural areas, particularly oil palm plantations.
Conservation measures
Some of these species grow in protected areas or are preserved in ex situ collections (BGCI 2017), but the conservation of these plants outside these areas is critical, therefore, protection measures, monitoring of their trade, as well as discouraging the use of this wood, are necessary.
IUCN Red List
IUCN
Dryobalanops aromatica VU - Vulnerable (2017); D. beccarii LC - Least Concern (2022); D. fusca CR - Critically Endangered (2019); D. keithii VU - Vulnerable (2019); D. lanceolata LC - Least Concern (2019); D. oblongifolia LC - Least Concern (2017); D. rappa EN - Endangered (2019).
CITES. Year of assessment
CITES
CITES Italia • Ultimo aggiornamento
Not present.
Technical data
Aesthetic characteristics
Grain
Slightly obvious
Texture
Medium
Physical and mechanical properties
Density
ρ
ρ
740
kg/m3
Radial shrinkage
Rad. sh.
Rad. sh.
45
MPa
Tangential shrinkage
Tang. sh.
Tang. sh.
91
MPa
Bending strength
M.O.R.
M.O.R.
110
MPa
Modulus of Elasticity
M.O.E.
M.O.E.
16150
MPa
Durability characteristics
Fungal resistance
Very durable
Insect resistance
Resistant
Miscellaneous
The wood known commercially as kapur is obtained from various species belonging to the genus Dryobalanops: D. aromatica Gaertn., D. beccarii Dyer, D. fusca V.Sl., D. keithii Sym., D. lanceolata Burk., D. oblongifolia Dyer, D. rappa Becc. The use of this wood should be avoided so as not to further threaten the conservation status of natural populations.