Oregon White Oak, Garry Oak

Quercus garryana

Physical Characteristics

Quercus garryana is a deciduous Tree growing to 18 m (59ft) by 10 m (32ft) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in May, and the seeds ripen in October. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

Distribution

Western N. America - British Columbia to California.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Canopy;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Seed Edible Uses: Coffee Seed - raw or cooked[226]. Up to 25mm long[200]. Up to 32mm long and 25mm wide according to other reports[82, 229], which also said that it has a sweet taste[229]. The seed is ground into a powder and used in making bread etc, it is a good thickener for soups and stews[183]. The seed has a high content of bitter tannins, these can be leached out by thoroughly washing the dried and ground up seed in water[183], 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.

Medicinal Uses

Astringent Dysentery TB Any galls produced on the tree are strongly astringent and can be used in the treatment of haemorrhages, chronic diarrhoea, dysentery etc[4]. A decoction of the bark has been used in the treatment of tuberculosis[257]. An infusion of the plant has been drunk by a mother before her first baby comes[257]. The pounded bark has been rubbed on the abdomen and sides of the mother before her first delivery[257].

Known Hazards

None known