Common Name:

General Information

Castanopsis javanica is an evergreen tree growing 10 - 40 metres tall. The bole, which is sometimes fluted, is 20 - 100cm in diameter[].
The tree yields a durable timber that is used locally. It is cultivated locally in Java for the production of its edible nuts[]. This is one of many timber-bearing species in the genus Castanopsis that is harvested from the wild on a commercial basis and traded under the name Berangan[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southeast Asia - Malaysia, Indonesia.

Habitat

Primary, sometimes secondary forests, at elevations up to 1,650 metres, occasionally to 2,000 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	25.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Castanopsis species are generally tolerant of a range of soils, preferably well-drained[]. They succeed in full sun, though young plants generally grow best in dappled woodland shade.
Trees do not respond well to coppicing[].

Edible Uses

Seed[, , ]. The discoid or depressed ovoid seeds are 10 - 15mm long and 20 - 25mm wide with a thin shell, one seed is produced in each spiny seedcase[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The bark is a source of tannins and can be used as a dye, to weatherproof fibres etc[].
The bark is used for making kegs for storing rice[].

The branches and stems of many Castanopsis species are used as bed logs in mushroom cultivation[].

The heartwood is dark brown or dark red-brown; it is clearly demarcated from the light brown or greyish-white sapwood which often has a green tinge. The texture is coarse and uneven; the grain fairly straight but sometimes interlocked, maybe lustrous when first cut; there is no distinctive odour or taste when dry. The wood is strong, moderately hard, moderately heavy to heavy, moderately durable and very difficult to treat. It seasons fairly slowly, without any defects except for some staining; shrinkage is very high. It is easy to work, easy to split, moderately easy to resaw and easy to cross-cut; planning is easy and the planed surface is smooth, it takes a good finish. A light hardwood, it is suitable for medium to heavy construction under cover, furniture making, packing cases and pallets. Some species split well and are used for shingles[, , , ].
Although the tree is of poor shape, it produces one of the most durable timbers in its native range, where it is widely used for house posts[].
The wood is a good fuel and can be used to make charcoal[].

Propagation

Seed - easy to germinate if sown fresh. Self-sown seedlings can be transplanted[].

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