Common Name: Japanese Oak

General Information

Lithocarpus glaber is an evergreen tree that can grow up to 15 metres tall[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

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Range

E. Asia - southeastern China, central and southern Japan.

Habitat

Mixed mesophytic forests, frequent on sunny slopes; at elevations up to 1,500 metres[]

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	10.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Lithocarpus glaber is a moderately cold-hardy tree, tolerating temperatures down to around -15°c when dormant. All of the hardier members of the genus seem to appreciate mild and moist conditions, and like to be as warm as possible in the summer[]
Grows best in a warm sheltered position, but not one where it can be scorched in full sun. A site with a high canopy is advisable, at least when the trees are young[]. It prefers a deep fertile soil with medium drainage[].
Plants are often confused with Lithocarpus edulis[]. The botanical name of this species is confusing - glaber means smooth but the young shoots of this species are hairy whilst the young shoots of Lithocarpus edulis are smooth[].

Edible Uses

Seed - cooked[]. The ellipsoid seed is 12 - 25mm long and 8 - 15mm wide[]. The seed probably contains bitter-tasting tannins. These can be removed by soaking the seed in water for a few days, changing the soak water regularly. The process can be speeded up by grinding the seed into a powder prior to soaking[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

The seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame[]. It needs to be protected from mice, squirrels and other seed eaters. The seed has a short viability but can be stored for a few months if kept cool and slightly damp - the salad compartment of a fridge is a good storage place. Germination takes place in the winter or early spring. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots. If the plants are 15cm or more tall by the summer they can be planted out into their permanent positions. Give them a good weed-excluding mulch and some protection from the cold for their first couple of years outdoors. If growth is not sufficient then grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter and plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.