Common Name:

General Information

Lithocarpus imperialis is an evergreen tree that can grow from 10 - 30 metres tall. The straight, cylindrical bole is slightly fluted at the base; it can be 30 - 55cm in diameter and free of branches for up to 20 metres[].
The tree is a major exportable timber in New Guinea, where it is harvested on a commercial basis.
Lithocarpus imperialis is a widespread common species with an extent of occurrence exceeding the boundaries for a threatened category under criterion B. No major threats to the species have been identified and population is currently stable. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2020)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Australasia - New Guinea

Habitat

Growing on sandy clayey soils, it is often a common and gregarious constituent of the Fagaceous forest at elevations from 800 - 1,900 metres; more sporadic in the lower limit of Nothofagus forest at 2,200 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	24.00 m
Pollinators	Insects, Wind
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Lithocarpus imperialis is a plant of the moist tropics, where it is usually found at elevations up to2,200 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 sandy-clay soils

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 eaten raw but would usually be cooked whole or be dried and ground into a powder that can then be used to make a gruel, or as a thickener in soups and stews, or as an additive to flour for making bread, cakes etc[].
The depressed-subglobose seed is 25 - 35mm long and 35 - 45mm wide, with a thick, woody 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[].

A major exportable timber[]
No further information is given, but the following is a general description of Lithocarpus timber from trees growing in southeast Asia:-
The heartwood is yellow-brown, red-brown or dark red-brown; it is not always clearly demarcated from the lighter-coloured sapwood. The texture is rather coarse and uneven; the grain fairly straight but sometimes interlocked; there is a true oak-line silver figure prominent on the radial surface. The wood is strong to very strong; hard to very hard; moderately heavy to heavy; moderately durable and very difficult to treat. It seasons fairly slowly, without any defects except for some staining, slight bowing and end-checking; shrinkage is high. It is easy to saw when green, but slightly difficult to work when dried; planing is easy and the planed surface is smooth; turned wood has a rough surface when finished. Nailing properties are poor.
A medium hardwood, it is suitable for medium to heavy construction under cover, furniture making, interior finishing, panelling, parquet flooring etc[]. It is used locally for purposes such as fence post, 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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