Quercus lamellosa
Scientific Classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Fagales
Family: Fagaceae
Genus: Quercus S
Species: Q. Lamellosa
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Plant profile
A large tree over 30 m. Its natural occurrence indicates that it should only be planted in localities with a high annual rainfall; it grows well on deep, well-drained, moist soils, and on clay loams. Troup states that natural reproduction is particularly good where there are areas of nigalo bamboo (Arundinaria spp.), and this might serve as an indicator for suitable sites. The seedlings are moderately shade-tolerant, and are frost-resistant. The tree coppices well, but does not produce root suckers. Even old trees are sensitive to fire damage.
Usage
The wood weighs about 940 kg m-3, and is hard and durable. In the Darjeeling area of India it is used for posts, beams, rafters, doorposts and window frames. It is a good fuelwood. The leaves are used as fodder and contain (dry) ten per cent crude protein (Panday, 1982). According to Wood et al. (1992) the tannin content was moderately high, but did not vary a great deal between November and March. In the village in Myagdi District, at about 1800 m, studied by Metz (1987) it was the third preference as a fodder tree (after Q. glauca and Q. semecarpifoiia) but elsewhere its use is rather sporadic. In the parts of Dolakha District between 1500 and 1800 m studied by Robinson and Neupane (1988) It was low in the order of preferred species; it was absent from farmers' land and none were interested in planting it. It is not included in the fodder trees used in Lalitpur District recorded by Upton (1990).