Edible Parts: Oil  Seed
Edible Uses: Coffee  Oil

Seed - raw or cooked[1, 2, 46, 63, 200]. The seed of this variety is normally sweet. The seed is up to 3cm long[200], 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 from some trees contains bitter tannins, these can be leached out by thoroughly washing the seed in running water though many minerals will also be lost. Either the whole seed can be used or the seed can be dried and ground it into a powder. It can take several days or even weeks to properly leach whole seeds, one method was to wrap them in a cloth bag and place them in a stream. Leaching the powder is quicker. A simple taste test can tell when the tannin has been leached. The traditional method of preparing the seed was to bury it in boggy ground overwinter. The germinating seed was dug up in the spring when it would have lost most of its astringency. The roasted seed is a coffee substitute. An edible oil is obtained from the seed[183].

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Astringent  Dysentery

Any galls produced on the tree are strongly astringent and can be used in the treatment of haemorrhages, chronic diarrhoea, dysentery etc[4].

Fuel  Hedge  Hedge  Oil  Repellent  Shelterbelt  Tannin  Wood

Agroforestry uses: Oaks are valuable in agroforestry for providing shade, timber, and wildlife habitat. They can also help with soil improvement and erosion control. A mulch of the leaves repels slugs, grubs etc, though fresh leaves should not be used as these can inhibit plant growth[20]. Oak galls are excrescences that are sometimes produced in great numbers on the tree and are caused by the activity of the larvae of different insects. The insects live inside these galls, obtaining their nutrient therein. When the insect pupates and leaves, the gall can be used as a rich source of tannin, that can also be used as a dyestuff[4]. Very tolerant of maritime exposure and of trimming, it can be grown as a shelterbelt tree or hedge in maritime areas[11, 29, 49, 75]. Wood - strong, hard, durable. Used for furniture[46, 61, 89]. It makes a good charcoal[89] and a good fuel, burning well even if green[146]. The bark is a source of tannin[146]. 1. Nectary - Flowers rich in nectar and pollen: Yes – Oak trees produce catkins that provide pollen, though they are wind-pollinated, so nectar production is limited. 2. Wildlife - Food (Fruit, Seeds, Leaf litter, Shelter, Nesting, Roosting): Yes – Oaks are a major food source, particularly through their acorns, which are eaten by birds, mammals, and insects. The dense foliage and structure provide excellent shelter for nesting birds and roosting wildlife. Oak leaf litter supports many beneficial insects and fungi. 3. Invertebrate Shelter (Overwintering sites, Leaf litter, Groundcover): Yes – Oak trees offer overwintering sites with rough bark and dense canopies. The leaf litter also provides habitat for insects, supporting biodiversity in ecosystems. 4. Pest Confuser (Smell): No – Oak trees do not produce strong scents that repel or confuse pests.

Special Uses

Food Forest  Hedge  Hedge