Chengal Pasir Tree

Le Chengal Pasir (Hopea odorata) est un grand arbre à la canopée originaire de ....

The Chengal Pasir (Hopea odorata) is a tall canopy tree that is native to the primary dipterocarp forests of Southeast Asia. It is also a hardy species that is well-adapted to urban environments. Like other trees in the dipterocarp family, the Chengal Pasir produces winged fruits that are dispersed by wind only once every few years. The wood of the Chengal Pasir is hard, heavy and durable, making it suitable for timber. This tree can be recognised by its very straight and upright form, its strongly cylindrical trunk, and its dense dark-green crown.

This tree has its origins in Indochina and the Northern Malayan peninsula. A tall evergreen tree that can grow up to 25 – 30 meters, it has a dense dark green conical-shaped crown. A Dipterocarp, it is a hardy and fast growing tree, well adapted in urban environments although it is usually found growing h=near rivers and streams in its natural habitat. Its trunk has a characteristically straight and upright cylindrical bole. The bark is grey brown in colour and irregularly fissured. The leaves are dark green with prominent veins. Flowers are small and pale yellow in colour. Flowering and fruiting are quite irregular and may only occur once in 2 to 3 years. The tree is increasingly popular as roadside plantings. Its attractive yellowish brown timber, sometimes known as Merawan, is very hard, heavy and resistant to fungal and termite attacks, thus ideal for general construction, furniture, flooring and weatherboards.