Erythroxylum cuneatum is a shrub or tree which naturally grows in secondary forests at low and medium elevations in various provinces and localities in Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Singapore and Thailand. It has a calculated extent of occurrence (EOO) of 10,635,711.903 km² which account for at least 26 locations based on currently available information. Though the population size is currently not known, a continuous decline is expected due to habitat-threatening effects of urbanization, small-scale and large-scale logging operations, shifting agriculture and other unsustainable farming practices, and the over-exploitation of the species for a variety of purposes. Despite this, given the multiple occurrence and wide distribution of the species, it is globally assessed as Least Concern.

This burly shrub or tree  grows in in secondary forests, especially on limestone formations at low and medium elevations (Elmer 1912, Merrill 1923). With the best available data, it is known to have at least 97 localities distributed over the Philippines (Ilocos Norte, Abra, Rizal, Camarines Sur, Palawan, Davao oriental, and Zamboanga), Peninsular Malaysia (Pahang), Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei Darussalam (Tutong and Belait), Indonesia (East Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, Central Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, North Maluku, Maluku, East Java, Banten, Lampung, South Sumatra, Riau, Bengkulu, and West Sumatra), Papua New Guinea (Eastern Highlands), Singapore, and Thailand (Songkhla, Trang, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Krabi, Phang-Nga, Phuket, Chumphon, Ranong, Prachuap Kiri Khan, Phetchaburi, Rayong, Chon Buri, Kanchanaburi, Ubon Ratchathani, Phitsanulok, Chiang Mai, and Nan). It has an estimated extent of occurrence (EOO) of 10,635,711.903 km² (GBIF 2022). The species is primarily threatened by land conversion and habitat degradation due to commodity driven deforestation, forestry related activities, urbanization, and shifting cultivation (GFW 2022).

There is no information on the population size of the species. However, a decline is suspected due to continuous loss of primary forests within its distribution range.

This species is a burly shrub or small to large tree that occurs in secondary forests, especially on limestone formations at low and medium elevations (Elmer 1912, Merrill 1923). Its habitat includes terrestrial (primary rainforest, secondary rainforest, Coastal forest) and shoreline (sandy beach, rocky beach). It is identifiable by its flattened green twigs (Flora and Fauna Web 2022). It can grow to about (1–)8–40(–45) m. It is very tolerant and can be found in a variety of habitats. It is often a tree or shrub behind sandy beaches or rocky shores. Also inland, it is found under various conditions: sandy or rocky hills, average dry land forest, inundated peat-forest, sometimes on exposed limestone summits, both in primary and secondary vegetation. Sometimes it is in groups, more often scattered and nowhere dominant, from sea level up to 900 m (Slik 2009).

Erythroxylum cuneatum is primarily threatened by land conversion and habitat degradation brought by commodity-driven deforestation, shifting cultivation, urbanization, and forestry activities such as logging. A significant loss of natural forests due to land use change was reported in its localities based on the analysed data from the Global Forest Watch (2022). As of 2020, the forest cover lost in the species localities in the Philippines is approximately 2,430 ha in Ilocos Norte, 4,460 ha in Abra, 3,950 ha in Rizal, 13,600 ha in Camarines Sur, 163,000 ha in Palawan, 48,800 ha in Davao Oriental, and 103,200 ha in Zamboanga.

The timber of the species is used for housebuilding in the Malay Peninsula, and in Sumatra also for bridges. Beams are said to be very durable, but can seldom be obtained in quantity. In Terengganu, the leaves are pounded and applied on the forehead of women after miscarriage. In Bunguran, the leaves are used in sajur, a vegetable soup (Slik 2009). In Singapore, the species is used in landscaping such as being planted along roads, parks and gardens or in coastal areas. It is also valued for its ornamental fruits (Flora and Fauna Web 2022).

The species occurs within Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, Kulamba Wildlife Reserve, Danum Valley Conservation Area, Tawau Hills Park, Lambir Hills National Park, Gunung Mulu National Park, Semenggoh Nature Reserve, and Bako National Park in Malaysia and in Parks Moya Mabuku and Ujung Kulon National Park in Indonesia as well as in Bukit Ladan Forest Reserve, Labi Forest Reserve, and Andulao Forest Reserve in Brunei Darussalam serve as in situ conservation of the species. It also occurs within Thailand's Ao Phang-Nga National Park, Lamnam Kra Buri National Park, Namtok Ngao National Park, Tanintharyi National Park, Erawan National Park, and Doi Inthanon National Park as well as in Philippine PAs namely, Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, Palawan Flora, Fauna and Watershed Forest Reserve (Parcel 2), and Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary. In addition, it is known in at least five botanic garden globally as ex situ collection (BGCI 2022). Further inventory and research are needed to account for its remaining population size in the wild. This will help in creating a relevant conservation action plan.