Semecarpus cuneiformis is a tree which naturally grows in lowland primary and secondary forests in various provinces and localities in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Brunei Darussalam, and Taiwan (Province of China). It has a calculated extent of occurrence (EOO) of 5,034,342.731 km² which accounts for its 118 estimated localities based on currently available species' information. Though its 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. However, despite these threats affecting the population and natural habitat quality, it is assessed globally as Least Concern (LC) given its numerous occurrences, very wide distribution, and expected abundance. 

Semecarpus cuneiformis is a tree that can be found in Indonesia, specifically in East Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, Gorontalo, North Sulawesi, West Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, South East Sulawesi, West Nusa Tenggara, and West Papua. It also has localities in Sabah and Sarawak, Malaysia as well as in Belait, Brunei Darussalam. It has subpopulations in the Philippines, specifically in Ilocos Norte, Cagayan, Isabela, Zambales, Ifugao, Benguet, Pampanga, Bataan, Rizal, Laguna, Quezon, Batangas, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Oriental Mindoro, Masbate, Samar, Leyte, Capiz, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Palawan, Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Norte, Bukidnon, and Davao del Sur. While in Taiwan, Province of China, it can be found in Kaohsiung and Taichung. With the best available data, it is known to have at least 118 localities and an estimated extent of occurrence (EOO) of 5,034,342.731 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 (Global Forest Watch 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.

Semecarpus cuneiformis is a tree up to 20m high, rarely a treelet, 4 m high that grows in dry thickets, primary and secondary forest in lowland areas, sometimes ascending to elevations of 600 - 700 m, and very occasionally to about 1,200 m. It is flowering and fruiting all throughout the year (Ding 1978).

Semecarpus cuneiformis 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 analyzed data from the Global Forest Watch (2021). As of 2020, the forest cover lost in the species localities in Indonesia are approximately 38,800 ha in East Kalimantan, 47,600 ha in Central Kalimantan, 1,330 ha in Gorontalo, 1,000 ha in North Sulawesi, 1,970 ha in West Sulawesi, 3,570 ha in South Sulawesi, 8,340 ha in South East Sulawesi, 1,930 ha in West Nusa Tenggara, 10,800 ha in West Papua. Whereas in Malaysia the lost cover is about 21,600 ha in Sabah and 56,100 ha in Sarawak while in Belait, Brunei Darussalam it is around 564 ha. In the philippines, the lost cover is about 2,430 ha in Ilocos Norte, 40,100 ha in Cagayan, 33,700 ha in Isabela, 5,110 ha in Zambales, 6,290 ha in Ifugao, 2,750 ha in Benguet, 1,420 ha in Pampanga, 1,670 ha in Bataan, 3,950 ha in Rizal, 7,070 ha in Laguna, 44,200 ha in Quezon, 2,910 ha in Batangas, 13,600 ha in Camarines Sur, 7,960 ha in Albay, 4,570 ha in Sorsogon, 21,500 ha in Oriental Mindoro, 6,880 ha in Masbate, 35,900 ha in Samar, 36,700 ha in Leyte, 6,790 ha in Capiz, 7,500 ha in Negros Oriental, 7,630 ha in Negros Occidental, 163,000 ha in Palawan, 4,760 ha in Surigao del Norte, 18,500 ha in Agusan del Norte, 23,800 ha in Bukidnon, and 17,200 ha in Davao del Sur. Lastly in Taiwan, Province of China, the forest cover lost is approximately 4,483 ha in Kaohsiung and 1,314 ha in Taichung. Interventions and conservation actions are highly recommended to prevent further tree cover loss and population decline.

The fruit of the species is like a small cashew fruit about 1 cm long and oil obtained from the pericarp is escharotic and caustic. It is sometimes applied externally in the treatment of certain ulcers (Useful Tropical Plants 2022).

The species is not included in the Philippine Red List (DENR-BMB 2017). Its occurrence in Tanap Watershed Forest Reserve, Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park, Marcos Highway Watershed Forest Reserve, Masinloc and Oyon Bay Protected Landscape and Seascape, Bataan Natural Park, Angat (Pilot) Watershed and Forest Range, Mount Makiling Forest Reserve, Taal Volcano Protected Landscape, Bulusan Volcano Natural Park, Asid Gulf Marine Protected Area Network (AGMPAN), Samar Island Natural Park, Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, Cabadbaran Watershed, Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park, Mt. Apo Natural Park, Malampaya Sound Protected Landscape, Palawan Flora, Fauna and Watershed Forest Reserve (Parcel 1), Palawan Flora, Fauna and Watershed Forest Reserve (Parcel 2) serve as in situ conservation of the species. In addition, it is known in at least five botanic gardens globally as ex situ collections (BGCI 2022).