Click here to open feedback window. Annex 2. Profiles of Tree Species: Asia 257 Acer laurinum Aceraceae perdu, walik elar, wuru dapang, wuru putih Distribution Borneo, China (Hainan),  Java, Lesser Sunda Islands, Myanmar,  (Mindanao Island) Philippines, Sulawesi, Sumatra, Thailand? Habitat The only truly tropical maple. A giant tree of primary montane forest, rarely secondary or devastated forest, occurring up to 2000m. In Sabah and Sarawak populations are apparently confined to soils of relatively high nutrient status, on igneous rocks between 200 and 1500m in the upper limits of mixed dipterocarp forest and on granodiorite rocks in lower montane oak-laurel forest between 1200 and 1600m. Population status and trends A widespread and relatively common species, although it appears to be rare in truly non-seasonal parts of Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and Borneo. In Sabah only  two collections have been made and the species is frequent within a very local distribution in Sarawak (Soepadmo and Wong, 1995). The distribution in the Philippines is also local (Asia Regional Workhop, 1997). According to Sosef, Hong and Prawirohatmodjo (1998) the species is uncommon but fairly widespread and does not seem to be threatened. Role of species in the ecosystem No information Threats No specific information on threats to this species. Utilisation The white undersides to the leaves provide an attractive ornamental attribute to the species. Utilisation of the timber is very limited due to its scarcity and absence of heartwood (Sosef, Hong and Prawirohatmodjo 1998). Trade IUCN Conservation category DD  according to the Asia Regional Workshop (WCMC, 1997). Conservation measures It is now in cultivation in the Botanical Garden of the University of Groningen, The Netherlands. Forest management and silviculture The species is of low forestry interest (Asia Regional Workhop, 1997). Nothing is known about its propagation (van Gelderen et al., 1994). References Asia Regional Workshop. 1997. Discussions held during the Third Regional Workshop for the WCMC/SSC Conservation and sustainable management of trees project, Hanoi, Viet Nam, 18-21 August 1997. Soepadma, E. and Wong, K.M. (Eds.) 1995. Tree Flora of Sabah and Sarawak. Volume 1. Government of Malaysia, ITTO, ODA. Sosef, Hong and Prawirohatmodjo 1998. van Gelderen, D.M., P.C. de Jong and H.J. Oterdoom. 1994. Maples of the world. Timber Press, Portland. WCMC. 1997. Report on the Third Regional Workshop held at Hanoi, Viet Nam, 18-21 August 1997 WCMC/SSC Conservation and sustainable management of trees project.