Red Balau
Shorea balangeran

Family: Dipterocarpaceae

What it is like

Shorea balangeran, also known as Red Balau, is a critically endangered species commonly found in Southeast Asia that grows up to 32 m in height with a buttressed bole that can be up to 75 cm in diameter. There are no known edible and medicinal uses of this plant. However, it yields a dammar known as ?Tangkawang fat?, a hard resin, which is used for candle making, soap manufacturing, and for illumination. It has many other purposes and commercial applications but due to the availability of synthetic materials nowadays, it has become less significant. The wood is hard to very hard, heavy to very heavy, strong, and durable. It is used for construction, ship building, bridges, etc.

Shorea balangeran is an evergreen Tree growing to 25 m (82ft) by 20 m (65ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 25

Where it is found

Peat-swamp forest. A mid-canopy tree in undisturbed keranga or (peat)-swamp forests near the coast up to elevations of 100 metres. In secondary forests usually present as a pre-disturbance remnant tree.

Southeast Asia - Indonesia.

Conservation Status: Status: Critically Endangered A1cd

Countries/locations it is found in

Indonesia

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 4

Other Uses: A dammar, known as 'Tangkawang fat' is obtained from the tree. It is used for candle making, soap manufacture and for illumination. 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 heartwood is grayish to yellowish gray; the moderately thick band of sapwood is light gray. The texture is fine; the grain interlocked. The wood is hard to very hard; heavy to very heavy; strong; durable. It is widely used for permanent construction, shipbuilding, and bridges.

Adhesive: Glues.

Basketry: Plant used in making baskets and other items such as chairs. Includes plants that are only used as an ornamental addition.

Ink: Plants that can be used as an ink.

Lighting: Plants that can be used as torches etc. See also Oil and Wax.

Paint: Plants used directly as a paint. Does not include oil plants and dyes that can be used as ingredients in paints.

Resin: Used in perfumery, medicines, paints, soap making etc. This also includes turpentine, which is extracted from many resins and used as a preservative, water proofer etc,

Soap making: Plants used as an ingredient in making soaps. Does not include the essential oils, dyes and oils that are also used in making soap.

Varnish: Plants that can be used as a varnish without any special treatment. Does not include varnishes made from oils etc.

Waterproofing: Does what it says. See also Pitch and Oil.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

How it is grown

A plant of lowland areas in the moist tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 100 metres. Mostly found on poor sandy soils on alluvial sites or hillsides in the wild.

Propagating it: 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.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Hopea balangeran Korth. Parahopea balangeran Heim Parashorea balangeran Merr.