Common Name:

General Information

Celtis tetrandra is a deciduous tree that can grow up to 30 metres tall with a bole up to 100cm in diameter. The tree can retain its leaves in mild winters[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.
Celtis tetrandra has a very wide distribution, large population, is not currently experiencing any major threats and no significant future threats have been identified. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2018)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - southern China, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia

Habitat

Along the edges of terraced fields; at elevations around 2,500 metres in Nepal[]. Mesophytic mixed forests, valleys and slopes; at elevations from 700 - 1,500 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	20.00 m
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Celtis tetrandra is somewhat cold-hardy when growing in hot summer areas, able to tolerate short-lived temperatures falling to at least -10°c[]. However, Celtis species generally prefer hotter summers and more sunlight than are normally experienced in maritime regions of the temperate zone. In areas with cooler summers the plants often do not fully ripen their wood and are then very subject to die-back in the winter[, , ].
Species in this genus generally prefer a sunny position, succeeding in any reasonably good soil, preferring a good fertile well-drained loamy soil[, , ]. They usually succeed on dry gravels and on sandy soils and, once established, are very drought resistant[].
Plants can be coppiced[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw. A mealy pleasant taste. The yellow to orange, more or less globose fruit is around 7 - 8mm in diameter, containing a single seed about 5mm in diameter[]. We have no further information, but the fruit is liable to consist of a thin, sweet, though dry and mealy flesh around a large seed[].

Medicinal

The juice from the seeds is used in the treatment of indigestion[].

Other Uses

The wood is very tough, pliable, strong, durable. Used for oars, toolhandles etc[].
The wood is an excellent fuel[].

We have no further specific information for this species, but most species in this genus yield a fine timber; their fibre-rich bark is utilized for the manufacture of ropes and paper; and an oil obtained from the seed is used for making soaps and lubricants[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[]. Stored seed is best given 2 - 3 months cold stratification and then sown late winter/early spring in a greenhouse[, ]. Germination rates are usually good, though the stored seed might take 12 months or more to germinate. The seed can be stored for up to 5 years[]. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots. The leaves of seedlings often have a lot of white patches without chlorophyll, this is normal and older plants produce normal green leaves. Grow the seedlings on in a cold frame for their first winter, and plant them out in the following late spring or early summer[]. Give them some protection from the cold for their first winter outdoors.
Cuttings