Quercus serrata aka Bao Li

Quercus serrata, known as Konara oak, is a deciduous tree. It belongs to the white oak group. Its native range includes China, Korea, Japan, and the Himalayas. Records also place it in Taiwan and the Kurile Islands. It grows in deciduous woods across a broad elevation range. Garden trees reach about 49 feet (15 metres) tall. Their upright form suits use as a shade tree. The leaves have toothed edges.

The flowers are yellow to green and appear in spring. Plants For A Future gives April to May as flowering time. Chicago Botanic Garden lists a broader March to June season. Each tree bears both male and female flowers. Wind carries pollen between the flowers. The acorns mature within their first growing season. Seeds ripen from October to November, according to Plants For A Future. This yearly crop fits its place among the white oaks.

Grow this oak in sun or partial shade. It prefers moist soil and a deep, fertile loam. It also accepts clay and mildly acidic to mildly alkaline ground. Chicago Botanic Garden lists USDA zones 4–7 for this species. Warm summers help its wood mature before winter. In cool British summers, growth may suffer and frost may damage shoots. Moderate exposure can also limit growth, though trees may survive. It does not suit sites exposed to sea winds.

Plant young trees in their lasting position before roots become established. Root disturbance makes later moves difficult. Fresh seed loses viability when it dries out. Sow ripe seed promptly, or keep it cool and moist. Protect sown acorns from mice and squirrels. Plants For A Future records coppicing in China. The hard, strong, reddish-brown wood has served for farm tools. Leaves can form a mulch that deters slugs and grubs. Fresh leaves, though, can hinder nearby plant growth.

Cooked seeds provide food after treatment to remove bitter tannins. Washing ground seed removes these compounds faster than washing whole acorns. The meal can thicken stews or join grain flour in bread. Plants For A Future also lists leaves as edible parts. It reports no known hazards, but this does not prove safety. Insects can cause galls, which supply tannin and dye. The same source records traditional medicinal uses for these astringent growths.