Cho chi

CHO CHI
Parashorea chinensis Wang Hsie, 1977
Family: Dipterocarpaceae
Set: Cotton Malvales

Describe:
Large tree, with straight cylindrical trunk, 45 - 50 m high, 0.8 - 0.9 m in diameter, height under branches up to more than 30 m. The canopy is sparse, the base has a small buttress. Martial gray, slight longitudinal cracks. The flesh is yellow and slightly pink, has resin and a light aroma. Large branches are often twisted. Leaves are lanceolate or oval, with stipules that fall early; Secondary veins 15 - 20 pairs, parallel, prominent on the underside. The underside of the leaves and on the veins have star-shaped hairs. Hairy inflorescences at the tips of branches or leaf axils. Small flowers have a special fragrance. The fruit is egg-shaped, has a pointed tip due to the base of the style, and has 2 large wings and 3 small wings. Seeds 3 - 4.

Biology:
Flowering season is May - June, fruit ripening season is July - September. Usually there is only 1 fruit every 2 - 3 years. The fallen seeds germinate immediately.

Habitat and ecology:
Grows scattered in tropical evergreen rainy season forests, along with Aglaia gigantea , Dracontonelum duperreanum , Amesiodendron chinense , etc. , rarely growing in small pure clusters. Regenerates well along streams or in places with little canopy cover. Young trees die under the dense forest canopy.

Distribution:
Vietnam: Plants belonging to the Dipterocarpaceae family are found in most Northern provinces of Vietnam, from Quang Binh upwards. Seen a lot in Tuyen Quang (Na Hang, Chiem Hoa), Vinh Phu (Thanh Son), Thanh Hoa (Quan Hoa), Nghe An (Quy Chau), Ha Tinh (Huong Khe, Huong Son).
World: China.

Value:
The wood is light yellow or slightly pink, very durable, water-resistant, resistant to burial, used as house pillars for construction and furniture. Beautiful shape can be used as a street tree.

Status:
Know not exactly. Because Cho Chi wood is good, Cho Chi wood is being hunted aggressively for exploitation. Threat level: Rank K.

Recommended protective measures:
Protected areas in Xan Son (Vinh Phu), Chiem Hoa (Tuyen Quang) and soon put into cultivation areas in natural distribution areas. Explore the possibility of planting trees along the street.

Referenced document: Vietnam Red Book - page 209.