Dipterocarpus spp.
Specifications
Family
Dipterocarpaceae
Species
Dipterocarpus spp.
Description
Rather resinous, the sapwood is grayish-brown, distinct from the reddish-brown heartwood. Medium to coarse, the texture varies with the species, from straight to interwoven, with a density ranging from 0.65 to 0.85. Sawing is difficult due to the resin that encrusts the bars. Mechanical strength is medium to high, while durability is very poor.
Plant morphology
Large trees up to 50 m tall, with a columnar trunk 1.3 m in diameter; their trunks are generally resinous, with grayish-white bark. The leaves are simple, alternate, with prominent secondary veins. The flowers are small, borne in racemes, and yellowish-white in color. The stipules can be quite long, even up to 70 cm in some species. The fruit is an elongated nut.
Natural occurrence
Countries of origin and distribution
Southeast Asia: Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia.
Habitat and ecology
The ecology varies depending on the species, but generally these plants prefer lowlands subject to periodic flooding. Some species also grow in drier mountainous areas, or form pure forests above 100 m above sea level. They are typical of primary forest and do not grow in areas of secondary forest regrowth.
Uses
Use class
CU1
CU2
CU3
CU4
CU5
Application areas
It is used in carpentry, interior design, furniture, packaging, and floorboards.
Threats and Conservation
Threats
Habitat loss and fragmentation, overharvesting.
Conservation measures
Nature reserves, ex situ collections. Some species have been included in National Red Lists, such as Dipterocarpus kunstleri, which was included in the Updated National List of Threatened Species in the Philippines, where it was assessed as Vulnerable in 2017.
IUCN Red List
IUCN
Dipterocarpus alatus VU - Vulnerable - Vulnerable (2017); D. baudii VU - Vulnerable - Vulnerable (2017); D. dyeri EN - Endangered - At risk (2017); D. globosus LC - Least Concern - Low Risk (2019); D. gracilis VU - Vulnerable - Vulnerable (2017); D. grandiflorus EN - Endangered - At risk (2017); D. hasseltii EN - Endangered - At risk (2017); D. kerrii EN - Endangered - At risk (2017); D. kunstleri LC - Least Concern - Low Risk (2019); D. turbinatus VU - Vulnerable - Vulnerable (2017).
CITES. Year of assessment
CITES
CITES Italia • Ultimo aggiornamento
Not present.
Technical data
Aesthetic characteristics
Grain
Slightly obvious
Texture
Coarse
Physical and mechanical properties
Density
ρ
ρ
790
kg/m3
Radial shrinkage
Rad. sh.
Rad. sh.
54
MPa
Tangential shrinkage
Tang. sh.
Tang. sh.
10
MPa
Bending strength
M.O.R.
M.O.R.
115
MPa
Modulus of Elasticity
M.O.E.
M.O.E.
16610
MPa
Durability characteristics
Fungal resistance
Moderatamente durabile
Insect resistance
Resistant
Miscellaneous
What is commercially known as yang is a wood obtained from the processing of various species belonging to the Dipterocarpus genus: D. alatus Roxb., D. baudii Korth., D. dyeri Pierre, D. globosus Veque, D. gracilis Blume, D. grandiflorus Blanco, D. hasseltii Blume, D. kerrii King., D. kunstleri King, D. retusus var. macrocarpus (Vesque) P.S.Ashton, D. turbinatus Gaertn. Given the extremely endangered state of the natural stands, this wood must not be used.