Banj Oak Update
Compiled by David Cranwell
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Quercus leucotrichophora, (also known as Banj Oak, Himalayan Oak, White Oak) has several characteristics that indicate a high potential to stabilise eroded land and act as a nurse tree for indigenous species.
The tree is endemic in the mid regions of the Central Himalayas, India extending to Pakistan, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand and Vietnam at an altitude from 1300m – 2200m above sea level.
The Banj Oak was first planted in New Zealand by Douglas Cooke, Eastwoodhill in the 1950’s as a single tree.
Since the late 1990’s the Ranichauri Eastwoodhill Trust, a registered charity, has been propagating trees, initially from acorns (under quarantine) supplied by Dr Sah Ecologist G B Pant University Hill Campus, Ranichauri, India. The young trees have been sold to interested landowners, Regional Councils and the general public. All funds raised have been remitted to the Himalaya Consortium for Himalaya Conservation HIMCON. The group at village level use the funds to propagate and plant Banj Oaks and other species to conserve their dwindling forests. Money is used to assist with education, water storage and areas they see as important. HIMCON provides an annual report.
To date several thousand Banj Oaks have been planted throughout Aotearoa, New Zealand. The East Coast of the North Island is where the greatest concentration has been planted by landowners, who have by experience come to appreciate the value of the tree and its current and potential valuable contribution on several fronts.
In the almost 30 years of experience with the tree in New Zealand, much has been learned as to its culture and value.
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TREE AVAILABILITY
| For all orders, please contact www.planthawkesbay.co.nz | Marie Taylor, Plant Hawkes Bay Ltd Mob 0274 424 536 |
| For more details on HIMCON on Facebook HIMCON on Facebook | |
| For information on the Ranichauri Eastwoodhill Trust Himalayan Oaks on Facebook | David Cranwell – Founder Ranichauri Eastwoodhill Trust Mob 021 50 3000 |
Acknowledgement to the following colleagues for their contribution to the document:
Dr Nagin Lallu, Murray Linnell, Marie Taylor, Dr Rajesh Thadani.