Quercus palustris
Plant Details
General Information
Plant Properties
Growth conditions
Moist
Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
Acid Neutral Basic
Half shade, Sun
Usage properties
Coffee, Seed
Glue, Dye, Repellent, Wood, Carbon farming
Description
Cooked seeds are used by various indigenous North American tribes as a staple food. They have a bitter taste and can be dried, ground into a powder, and used as a thickening agent in dishes or mixed with grain for bread. The seeds contain bitter tannins, which can be removed by thorough washing in running water, although this can also remove minerals. The whole seed or the ground powder can be used. One method to remove tannins more quickly is to place them in a cloth bag and submerge it in a stream. A simple taste test can indicate when the tannins have leached out. Traditionally, the seeds were buried in moist soil to germinate, after which they were dug up in the spring for use. Roasted seeds serve as a coffee substitute.
Harvest Data
Crown Data
Guilds
Guild Information
Click on a plant in the diagram for more information.
Guild Details
| Guild | Description |
|---|---|
|
Sambucus canadensis American Elder |
Sambucus can help attract beneficial insects, and its berries are a food source during the winter. |
|
Viburnum opulus Highbush cranberry |
Viburnum opulus can provide nesting sites for birds and help improve biodiversity in the area. |
|
Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn, Oneseed hawthorn |
Crataegus provides an excellent habitat for various wildlife and its flowers are beneficial for pollinators. |
|
Malus domestica Apple |
Malus domestica can attract pollinators and provide additional fruit yield during late summer. |
|
Corylus avellana Hazel |
Corylus avellana offers nuts as a food source and can enhance soil fertility with its nitrogen fixation. |