Resin tree

Resin tree/Apitong
Dipterocarpus alatus or commonly known as Apitong is a tropical forest tree that can be found in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and the Philippines. It is medium-sized of about 40 m in height with an umbrella-shaped canopy and a tall, straight, cylindrical trunk that can be up to 150 cm in diameter. Considered as an endangered species, the tree produces a highly valued wood in construction and oily resin. The trunk yields resin that can be used in analgesic liniments or as an antiseptic in bandages on ulcerated wood (when mixed with bee wax). It can also be used for illumination and waterproofing baskets and bots, for paint, as varnish, and in printing ink industries. The bark can be used against rheumatism and liver diseases. The plant also yields essential oil used in perfumery. The wood is hard, fine-grained, but not very durable.

Dipterocarpus alatus Roxb.
Dipterocarpus gonopterus  Turcz.
Dipterocarpus philippinensis  Foxw.
Family: Dipterocarpaceae
Set: Cotton Malvales
Identifying characteristics:

Large tree , round, straight trunk, 40 - 50m (70m) high, 25 - 30m height under branches, 70 - 80cm diameter. The gray-brown bark peels off into small pieces. The branches have a large diameter, young branches, stems and the underside of the leaves are covered with star-shaped hairs. The conical canopy is quite thick. The single leaves grow in an ovoid or oblong oval shape, 25 - 30cm long, 8 - 15cm wide, with 15 - 20 pairs of side veins. Has large stipules that form a layer of red buds 5 - 6cm long or more, with a stem 3 - 4cm long. Inflorescences are 12cm long, flowers are almost stemless. The tube has 5 petals, two petals are larger than the others. Stamens 28 - 32, attached in 2 whorls. The fruit is large, 24cm in diameter, has 5 developed ridges, has 2 developed sepals 11 - 15cm long, 2 - 4cm wide, has 3 - 5 veins, 3 veins reach the top .

Distribution:
Widely distributed in Southeast Asian countries, very common in most southeastern provinces of Vietnam. In addition, they are also widely distributed in Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand. Bangladesh, India (Andaman Is., Assam), Myanmar, Philippines.

Uses:
Light reddish brown wood, rough grain, Density 0.70 - 0.90, durable, if left out in the sun and rain, it will quickly deteriorate, Easy to process for use in construction and normal furniture making. Oil is a good raw material for the paint and varnish industry. and can be used to putty on boats and other waterproof items. This species was included in the IUCN Red List in 2000 with Endangered levels A1cd+2cd, B1+2c. However, in Vietnam, the tree is still abundant and quite popular.

Referenced documents : Economic wood trees - Tran Hop, Nguyen Boi Quynh - page 135.