Common Name:

General Information

Castanopsis purpurella is an evergreen tree that can grow up to 30 metres tall
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of materials. It is harvested on a commercial basis for its wood.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - southern China, northern India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam

Habitat

Forests in the eastern Himalayas; at elevations up to 2,400 metres[]. Broad-leaved evergreen forests; from near sea level to 1.600 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	30.00 m
Pollinators	Wind, midges
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Castanopsis species are generally found in subtropical and tropical climates, those species that can tolerate colder winters generally also require hot summers. Thus hardy members of this genus tend to grow well in Mediterranean climates and in warm continental climates with mild winters - although frost tolerant, they often do not thrive in more maritime climates with their cooler summers, even if the winters are mild. This species can tolerate occasional temperatures falling to around -5°c when dormant.
Prefers a good deep medium to stiff loam[]. Requires a sheltered position in semi-shade and a lime-free soil[].
Although cold hardy in Britain, this species really requires a warm continental climate if it is to prosper and it does not do well in the maritime climate of this country[].
The seed takes two growing seasons from fertilization to maturity[].
The catkins have an unpleasant hawthorn-like smell to attract midges for their pollination[].

Edible Uses

Seed - raw or cooked[]. Small but a good flavour[, ]. The seed is up to 14mm in diameter[].

Flowers[]. No more details are given, but the flowers are very small and produced in catkins[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The heartwood is white when first cut, turning light grey or greyish-brown with age; the sap-wood is scarcely distinguishable from the heart-wood. Medium and uneven-textured with a more or less irregularly interlocked grain. The wood is hard. It is used for construction, fencing, fuel etc, and should make up into useful fumed furniture of the cheaper class[, , ].

Propagation

Seed - requires a period of cold stratification and is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[]. The seed has a short viability and should not be allowed to dry out. It can be stored for a few months if kept cool and moist (putting it in a plastic bag that is placed in the salad compartment of a fridge works well). Stored seed should be soaked in warm water for 24 - 48 hours prior to sowing[]. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 3 months at 15°c[]. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick out the seedlings into individual pots and plant them out in mid summer if possible, otherwise grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter and plant them out in late spring. Give the young plants some protection from cold for their first few winters outdoors.