Quercus aliena seed

This is a medium to large deciduous oak with a spreading crown that typically grows to 40-80′ tall.

Elliptic-obovate to obovate, regularly lobed, coarsely-toothed, conspicuously-ribbed, shiny dark green leaves (to 4-8″ long) adorn this member of the white oak group which is native to mixed forest areas in Japan, Korea and central china. Leaves are grayish-white and pubescent beneath. Leaves turn yellow in fall.
Medicinal use of Oriental White Oak: Any galls produced on the tree are strongly astringent and can be used in the treatment of hemorrhages, chronic diarrhea, dysentery etc.

Edible parts of Oriental White Oak: seed – cooked. The seed is about 25 mm long, it can be dried, ground into a powder and used as a thickening in stews etc or mixed with cereals for making bread. The seed contains bitter tannins, these can be leached out by thoroughly washing the seed in running water though many minerals will also be lost.

The roasted seed is a coffee substitute.

Other uses : Wood. Of local value, it is used mainly for boat building.