Japanese Oak
Lithocarpus glaber

Family: Fagaceae

What it is like

Lithocarpus glaber is an evergreen Tree growing to 7 m (23ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 7

Where it is found

Mixed mesophytic forests, frequent on sunny slopes; below 1500 m. Anhui, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Taiwan, Zhejiang

E. Asia - E. China, Japan.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Seed - cooked. 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.

Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

Prefers a deep fertile soil with medium drainage. Plants are often confused with L. 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 L. edulis are smooth.

Propagating it: 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.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Canopy; Secondary;

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 6-9

Growth:

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

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Pasania glabra. (Thunb.)Oerst. Quercus glabra. Thunb.