Shorea guiso

Specifications

Family

Dipterocarpaceae

Species

Shorea guiso (Blanco) Blume

Common name

Shorea guiso
Commonly known as

red balau

Description

The sapwood is grayish, while the heartwood, into which it fades, is reddish brown, darkening to a purplish red with drying. The texture is coarse, the grain interwoven, and the density ranges from 0.70 to 0.95. Mechanical strength is good, the sapwood has poor durability, and the heartwood has excellent durability.

Plant morphology

This species can reach 25-40 m in height, with a thickened stem covered in scaly bark. The leaves are alternate, simple, stipulate, and glabrous, with fairly prominent veins. The margins are entire, with an ovate-lanceolate blade tapering to the apex. The fruit is a reddish-green samara.

Natural occurrence

Countries of origin and distribution

Southwest Asia: Philippines, Indonesia, Sumatra, Thailand.

Habitat and ecology

This species grows between sea level and 700 meters above sea level, in lowland evergreen forests mixed with other dipterocarps. It prefers coastal areas, but can also be found on carbonate substrates, in deep soils. Flowering and fruit production are very irregular, and the viability of its seeds is generally low.

Uses

Use class

CU1

CU2

CU3

CU4

CU5

Application areas

It is used in building, road and naval construction, interior design, and veneer slicing.

Threats and Conservation

Threats

Shorea guiso is subject to excessive harvesting for its commercially valuable timber. Another threat to its conservation is habitat loss resulting from the transformation of forests into agricultural and urban areas. Furthermore, this species has a very low regeneration rate and must form ectomycorrhizae to thrive.

Conservation measures

This species is present in some protected areas and in at least three ex situ collections (BGCI 2017). For optimal conservation of the species, it is necessary to protect its habitat and initiate research programs.

IUCN Red List IUCN

VU - Vulnerable

CITES. Year of assessment CITES

2017

1975

2050

CITES Italia • Ultimo aggiornamento

2017

Not present.

Technical data

Aesthetic characteristics

Grain

Slightly obvious

Texture

Medium

Physical and mechanical properties

Density
ρ

870 kg/m³

Radial shrinkage
Rad. sh.

MPa

Tangential shrinkage
Tang. sh.

MPa

Bending strength
M.O.R.

119 MPa

Modulus of Elasticity
M.O.E.

16670 MPa

Durability characteristics

Fungal resistance

Moderatamente durabile

Insect resistance

Resistant

Miscellaneous

Given the state of the stands, the use of this wood should be avoided so as not to worsen the already severely compromised situation.