Click here to open feedback window. Contribution to an evaluation of tree species using the new CITES Listing Criteria 280 Canarium luzonicum  Burseraceae belis, malapili, piling-liitan Distribution Philippines Habitat This species occurs in primary forest at low to medium altitudes. Population Status and Trends Habitat loss is likely to be the greatest threat to remaining populations. The timber has not been of great commercial importance to date (Lemmens et al.,1995). The species is, however, the main commercial source of Manila elemi. This resin is obtained by cutting small strips of bark and collecting the exudate (Coppen, 1995). Role of species in the Ecosystem Flowers are probably insect pollinated. Fruit eating pigeons, monkeys and occasionally bats act as seed dispersers. Utilisation The kedondong timber is used for light construction. A valuable volatile oil, Manila elemi, is distilled from the resin and used locally for caulking ships, in torches, varnishes and glues. It is also commercially exported for the manufacture of varnish and medicinal ointments. The seeds are edible and the bark yeilds a tannin of reasonable quality. Trade Canarium timber is usually mixed with the timber of other members of Burseraceae and sold as kedondong. The production of fruits appears to be more commercially important than of timber (Lemmens et al. 1995). IUCN Conservation category VU A1cd  according to WCMC Conservation Measures Forest Management and Silviculture Canarium spp. can be propagated by seed. Natural regeneration is believed to be scarce because of the scattered distribution of trees and possibly also because of levels of fruit harvesting. A single tree yields 4-5kg of resin. References Coppen, J.J.W. 1995. Gums, resins and latexes of plant origin. Non-Wood Forest Products 6. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Forest Management Bureau. 1988. Natural forest resources of the Philippines. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Manila. 62pp. Lemmens, R.H.M.J., I. Soerianegara, & W.C. Wong (eds.). 1995. Plant Resources of South-East Asia No 5(2). Timber trees: Minor commercial timbers. Leiden: Backhuys Publishers. 655 pp.