Castanopsis chestnut, White oak
Castanopsis acuminatissima

Family: Fagaceae

What it is like

Castanopsis acuminatissima is an evergreen Tree growing to 25 m (82ft) by 25 m (82ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 25

Where it is found

An upper canopy tree of primary or relict forest, mostly on hillsides and ridges and often on loamy sandy soil; at elevations from 300 - 2,500 metres.

E. Asia - China, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, New Guinea.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bangladesh, China, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia, Solomon Islands, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used

Food

Rating: 3

Seed - raw or cooked. They are more commonly cooked, it is mainly children who collect them and eat them raw. The seeds can be boiled or roasted - when cooked they taste somewhat like rice. The seed is up to 15mm x 10mm, contained in a spiny seedcase.

Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 3

Agroforestry Uses: The tree has a heavy fall of leaves which form a deep mulch on the ground and inhibit the growth of other plants. The tree is planted as a pioneer species in northern Thailand in reforestation projects to restore native woodland - it is planted in degraded woodland and open areas in a mix with various other species that all have the ability to grow fast; produce dense, weed-suppressing crowns; and attract seed-dispersing wildlife, particularly birds and bats. Other Uses The wood is white. It is used for making furniture, bridges, flooring, plywood, boat building. The trunks and bark are used in traditional house construction. The wood can be used for fuel.

Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.

Regional Crop: These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.

Staple Crop: Balanced carb: (0-15 percent protein, 0-15 percent oil, with at least one over 5 percent). The carbohydrates are from either starch or sugar. Annuals include maize, wheat, rice, and potato. Perennials include chestnuts, carob, perennial fruits, nuts, cereals, pseudocereals, woody pods, and acorns.

Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.

Regional Crop: These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.

Staple Crop: Balanced carb: (0-15 percent protein, 0-15 percent oil, with at least one over 5 percent). The carbohydrates are from either starch or sugar. Annuals include maize, wheat, rice, and potato. Perennials include chestnuts, carob, perennial fruits, nuts, cereals, pseudocereals, woody pods, and acorns.

Carbon Farming: Plants that can be a critical part of the solution to climate problems. The Carbon Farming Solution - Eric Toensmeier.

How it is grown

A fast-growing tree. The tree has surface roots and often forms a ring of suckers around the base of the trunk. it is a predominant tree in the lower montane forests, lying between 900-1000 and 2000 meters elevation. It can also be found at lower elevations on small-crowned hill forests, in association with Hopea papuana and the drought-tolerant Casuarina papuana.

Propagating it: Seed - easy to germinate if sown fresh. Self-sown seedlings can be transplanted. Suckers are formed near the base, but these often do not transplant well.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Mouth ulcers and anaemia have been reported from people eating large numbers of raw nuts.

Its other names

Local names

Berangan pipit, Berangan, Empili, Fidaawee, Gon, Ko duel, Kogopon, Mempening, Pohon berangan, Pohon pasang putih, Ukam

Synonyms

Castanea acuminatissima Blume. Castanea sessilifolia Blume Castanopsis bejaudii A.Camus Castanopsis junghuhnii (Miq.) Markgr. Castanopsis nebularum Hickel & A.Camus Castanopsis schlenckerae F.M.Bailey Castanopsis sessilifolia A.DC. Pasania acuminatissima (Blume) Oerst. Quercus acuminatissima (Blume) A.DC. Quercus fagiformis Jungh. Quercus junghuhnii Miq. Quercus lineata Miq. Quercus varingifolia Miq. Synaedrys acuminatissima (Blume) Koidz. Synaedrys fagiformis (Jungh.) Koidz.