Common Name:

General Information

Lithocarpus coopertus is an evergreen tree that can grow from 10 - 45 metres tall. The bole can be from 15 - 70cm in diameter with buttresses up to 200cm high, 150cm out and 10cm thick[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a source of materials.
Lithocarpus coopertus 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(2021)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Southeast Asia - Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia (Kalimantan), Philippines

Habitat

Lowland to hill mixed dipterocarp forest, including kerangas and swamp forests; at elevations up to 900 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	27.00 m
Pollinators	Insects, Wind
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Lithocarpus coopertus is a plant of the moist tropics, where it is usually found at elevations up to metres[]. The varous species in this genus usually grow in regions where there can be year-round rainfall, generally disliking dry seasons.
In the wild, Lithocarpus species are mainly found in well-drained soils, often growing on slopes. In cultivation most species are tolerant of a range of soil textures and prefer an acid to neutral pH. Young plants usually grow sucessfully in the shade of woodland, but older trees like a more sunny position. This species is often found in the wild in Kerangas forest - a type of moist, heath forest found on acidic, sandy soils that are low in nutrients, especially nitrogen[].

Edible Uses

We have no specific information for this species, but the seed (or acorn) is a rich source of carbohydrates and would almost certainly have been eaten by traditional peoples, especially in times of shortage. The main disadvantage is that the seed is also likely to contain bitter-tasting, astringent tannins. Traditionally, these tannins would have been largely removed either by leaching the seeds in water or by baking them. The seeds can be cooked whole or be dried and ground into a powder that can be used to make a gruel or can be added to flour for making bread, cakes etc[].
The conical or ovoid seed is 15 - 20mm long with a thin shell[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The bark of most species is rich in tannins and can be used as a dye and preservative for ropes etc[].

The sapwood is whitish[]. The wood is used locally for purposes such as house building, fence posts, mining props, shingles, boat building, and for making tool handles, rice pounder, poles for carts etc[, ].
The wood makes a good fuel and can be used to make charcoal[, ].

Propagation

Seed - it quickly loses viability if it is allowed to dry out. It can be stored moist and cool, but is best sown as soon as it is ripe in an outdoor seed bed, though it must be protected from mice, squirrels etc. Small quantities of seed can be sown in deep pots in a cold frame. Plants produce a deep taproot and need to be planted out into their permanent positions as soon as possible, in fact seed sown in situ will produce the best trees[]. Trees should not be left in a nursery bed for more than 2 growing seasons without being moved or they will transplant very badly.

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