Fagus japonica
Maxim.
Japanese beech, Japanese blue beech
iNaturalist· cc-by
(c) Σ64, some rights reserved (CC BY)
iNaturalist· cc-by
(c) りなべる, some rights reserved (CC BY)
Summary
Source: WikipediaFagus japonica, known as the Japanese beech, Japanese blue beech or in Japanese as inubuna ("dog buna") or kurobuna ("black buna"), is a deciduous tree of the beech family Fagaceae.
Description
A deciduous tree. It grows 24 m high. It spreads 8 m wide. The leaves are oval. They have soft hairs underneath. Young leaves are furry on both surfaces.
Edible Uses
Young leaves can be eaten raw and have a pleasantly mild flavour, but toughen quickly — only the youngest should be used. New growth typically appears during two periods of around 3 weeks each year, one in spring and one in mid-summer. The seed can be eaten raw or cooked and is rich in oil, though it should not be consumed in large quantities. It can be dried and ground into a powder. A semi-drying edible oil is obtained from the seed. The roasted seed makes a coffee substitute.
Medicinal Uses
None known.
Known Hazards
Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, large quantities of the seed of many species in this genus are thought to be toxic.
Distribution
Temperate. It grows in the mountains in Japan. It suits hardiness zones 6-8.
Where It Grows
Asia, Australia, Japan,
Cultivation
Thrives on a light or medium soil, doing well on chalk, but ill-adapted for heavy wet soils. Young trees are very shade tolerant, but are subject to frost damage so are best grown in a woodland position which will protect them. Although very cold hardy, this species requires hotter summers than are normally experienced in Britain so is not usually a success here and is very slow growing. Trees have surface-feeding roots and also cast a dense shade. This greatly inhibits the growth of other plants and, especially where a number of the trees are growing together, the ground beneath them is often almost devoid of vegetation.
Propagation
Seed has short viability and is best sown as soon as ripe in autumn in a cold frame, protected from mice. Germination occurs in spring. Prick out seedlings into individual pots when large enough and grow on under glass for at least their first winter. Plant out into permanent positions in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts. Seedlings are slow-growing for the first few years and very susceptible to late frost damage. Seed can also be sown in an outdoor seedbed in autumn. Seedlings can remain in the open ground for three years before transplanting, but do best if moved to final positions as soon as possible with some protection from spring frosts.
Other Uses
An oil is obtained from the seed.
Notes
There are 10 Fagus species.
