Quercus semicarpifolia

Quercus semicarpifolia. Family

Fagaceae

Quercus semicarpifolia. English Name

Brown Oak

Quercus semicarpifolia. Local Name

Banjar

Quercus semicarpifolia. Description

A large evergreen tree, 25 to 30 m tall and with a diameter of 1 m. The leaves are 5 to 12 cm by 2.5 to 7 cm, elliptic oblong, glabrous and dark green above, rusty or brown tomentose beneath. The bark is dark grey. The male flowers or catkins are 5 to 15 cm long. The female flowers are short spikes. The flowers occur between May and June. The fruit is an acorn or nut, 2.5 cm in diameter and ripens between July and August. It has no known insect or disease problems. Slow growing and it is reproduced from seed. The tree grows in pure stands or in association with conifers. It is gradually disappearing from its natural habitat due to heavy lopping for fodder and fuelwood. Closed grained, light, pinkish brown sapwood.

Quercus semicarpifolia. Distribution

The tree is native to India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nepal. This tree prefers a moist temperate climate with an annual rainfall of 1000 mm and freezing temperatures at an elevation range between 2500 and 3800 m. It is gregarious and can extend up to the tree line where it is often seen with conifers and other broad-leaved associates.

Quercus semicarpifolia. Uses

Wood is hard and strong therefore used as fodder, fuel wood and charcoal.