ULIN WOOD DECKING and BEAM (Eusideroxylon zwageri )

Lauraceae
Ironwood, Belian, Borneo Ironwood, bois de fer (Fr). Brunei: belian. Malaysia: belian (Sarawak, Sabah), tambulian (Sabah), im muk (Cantonese, Sabah), Ulin. Indonesia: belian (general), onglen, tulian, tebelian (Kalimantan). Philippines: tambulian, sakian, biliran (Sulu).
Distribution
Sumatra, Bangka, Belitung, Borneo, Sulu Archipelago, Kalimantan, Sabah, Sarawak, Philippines (Palawan
Habitat
E. zwageri is widespread in Borneo and Sumatra as a scattered component of the Dipterocarp forest and in some localities forms a single dominant variant. It is generally found in lowland areas of primary forest 5-400 m, in flat or sloping terrain, and also occurs in old secondary.

Population status and trends
Belian is one of the most renowned timbers of Borneo. It has been favoured both for local use and the export trade. Over-exploitation together with forest clearance have led to the decline of this slow-growing timber species. The increased availability of forest roads opened by concessionaires is leading to greater problems of uncontrollable exploitation in Kalimantan

Utilisation
Belian is used locally in house construction and for water butts. Its commercial uses are for heavy construction, marine work, boat building, printing blocks, industrial flooring, roofing and furniture. Belian has been esteemed by the Chinese as a coffin wood.
Production and trade
Primarily used locally with limited exports recorded by Sabah. In southern Kalimantan this timber is felled by the owners of concession rights and also by local people coordinated by Ulin traders
Presence in protected areas
Indonesia Kutai National Park, East Kalimantan - has pure stands of Eusideroxylon zwageri, Tanjung Putting National Park, Kalimantan, Gunung Penrisen/Gunung Nyiut Game Reserve, Kalimantan, Lempakai Botanical Park, East Kalimantan
Sabah Tabin Wildlife Reserve