Lithocarpus edulis, commonly known as Japanese Stone Oak, is an evergreen tree that can grow up to 15 meters tall. It is native to the warm temperate forests of Japan, where it thrives in the understory and on mountain slopes. The tree is characterized by its dense, rounded crown and smooth, gray bark. The leaves are leathery, with a glossy green surface and a paler underside. Japanese Stone Oak produces small, inconspicuous yellowish-green flowers in the spring, followed by acorn-like nuts that are edible but bitter due to their tannin content. Soaking the nuts in water can remove the tannins, making them more palatable.

Japanese Stone Oak is valued for its ornamental qualities, including its attractive foliage and compact growth habit. It is often used in urban landscapes, parks, and gardens. The tree is relatively low-maintenance, requiring medium amounts of water and adaptable to a range of soil drainage conditions, from slow to fast. It prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade. While it is not commonly afflicted by serious diseases or pests, it can suffer from root rot if planted in poorly drained soils. Its nuts are sometimes harvested for culinary use after tannin removal.CC BY-SA 4.0