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Lithocarpus spp.

stone oak

Fagaceae East and Southeast Asia

Attracts Pollinators

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 8–11

Overview

Lithocarpus spp. is a genus of roughly 300 evergreen trees and shrubs in the beech and oak family (Fagaceae), known as stone oaks and concentrated in the forests of East and Southeast Asia. Plants range from large canopy trees 50-70 ft (15-21 m) tall to smaller understory trees 15-30 ft (4.5-9 m), with a dense, rounded to upright crown. Leaves are alternate, simple, leathery, and evergreen, 3-10 in (8-25 cm) long, with smooth or toothed margins and a glossy upper surface. Unlike true oaks (Quercus spp.), the flowers are borne in stiff, erect catkins, and the male flowers carry a strong, musky scent. The fruit is an acorn-like nut seated in a hard, often scaly or spiny woody cup, ripening over one to two years. Wood is hard and heavy, and several species are logged locally for timber and charcoal. Most species are frost-tender and restricted to mild, humid climates, which limits their use in temperate gardens.

Native Range

Lithocarpus spp. is centered in the tropical and subtropical forests of East and Southeast Asia, from the Himalayas through southern China, Indochina, and the Malay Archipelago, with its greatest diversity in Borneo. The single former North American species, the tanoak, is now placed in the related genus Notholithocarpus spp..

Suggested Uses

Lithocarpus spp. is grown as an evergreen shade or specimen tree, screen, or canopy tree in mild, frost-free gardens and parks. Larger species are spaced 25-40 ft (7.5-12 m) apart, smaller understory species closer. In timber districts several species are managed in plantations for hardwood and charcoal.

How to Identify

Identify Lithocarpus spp. by its evergreen, leathery, simple leaves and its stiff, upright flowering catkins, which separate it from the pendulous catkins of true oaks (Quercus spp.). The acorn-like nuts sit in woody cups that are often scaly, ridged, or spiny and may enclose much of the nut. The hard, heavy wood and dense evergreen crown are further marks of the genus.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height15' - 70'

Width/Spread15' - 40'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowering occurs mainly in late spring and summer, with timing varying widely across the genus and its broad geographic range. Small flowers are crowded on erect catkins, the males scented and the females inconspicuous at the catkin base. Acorn-like nuts develop slowly, taking one to two years to ripen.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Creamy white to yellowish

Foliage Description

Glossy dark green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand clay

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

10-20 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Lithocarpus spp. grows in full sun to part shade in deep, fertile, acidic to neutral soil with a pH of 5.0-7.0 and reliable moisture. Most species are frost-tender and limited to USDA zones 8-11, with only a few tolerating brief frost in zone 7. Plants need a humid, mild climate and decline in cold, dry, or exposed sites. Establishment is slow, and young trees benefit from shelter and mulch while roots develop. Good drainage is needed, as waterlogged soil causes root rot. Once established, trees need little routine care beyond formative pruning.

Pruning

Lithocarpus spp. needs only formative pruning when young to establish a single leader and balanced crown. Dead, crossing, or damaged branches are removed in late winter. Mature trees are left largely unpruned, as the dense evergreen canopy holds its shape without intervention.