Evergreen Chinkapin Plant Care

Castanopsis acuminatissima (Blume) A.DC.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Castanopsis acuminatissima is an evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia and New Guinea. It is known by a variety of common names over its range, including white oak, New Guinea oak, Papua New Guinea oak, ki riung, ko-duai, ko-soi, ko-mat, meranak, and riung anak.

🌳Trees
Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

60–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Evergreen Chinkapin?

Plant Evergreen Chinkapin in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 13a) and water a young tree every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C). Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Evergreen Chinkapin Native To?

Native range12 countries

What Is the Evergreen Chinkapin?

Evergreen Chinkapin (Castanopsis acuminatissima) belongs to the Fagaceae family within the Castanopsis genus. Evergreen Chinkapin is native to Southeast Asia and New Guinea. Evergreen Chinkapin is also known as New Guinea Chinkapin.

Evergreen Chinkapin displays a tall, spreading tree growth habit, reaching up to 50 ft tall with a spread of approximately 30 ft. Evergreen Chinkapin produces small inconspicuous flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Evergreen Chinkapin?

Water a young or newly planted Evergreen Chinkapin every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–14 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Evergreen Chinkapin Need?

Evergreen Chinkapin thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Evergreen Chinkapin Prefer?

Castanopsis acuminatissima tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Evergreen Chinkapin prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

60–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Evergreen Chinkapin?

Well-draining loamy soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Evergreen Chinkapin to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Evergreen Chinkapin?

Feed Evergreen Chinkapin every 8 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

Fertilizing

Every 8 months

During the growing season

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Where Should You Plant a Evergreen Chinkapin?

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining loamy soil with high organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Evergreen Chinkapin is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Evergreen Chinkapin?

Evergreen Chinkapin can spread to about 30 ft (9.1 m) and reach about 50 ft (15 m) tall. Space plants about 30 ft (9.1 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

How Do You Prune a Evergreen Chinkapin?

Prune Evergreen Chinkapin while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

How Do You Care for a Evergreen Chinkapin in Winter?

Evergreen Chinkapin is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

How Do You Propagate a Evergreen Chinkapin?

Evergreen Chinkapin can be propagated through seeds, grafting. Similar propagation techniques also apply to graceful chinkapin plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Evergreen Chinkapin Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Evergreen Chinkapin, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.

This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

What Pests and Diseases Affect the Evergreen Chinkapin?

Evergreen Chinkapin is susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, scale insects. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Evergreen Chinkapin Need?

Evergreen Chinkapin grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Evergreen Chinkapin is native to Southeast Asia and New Guinea. In cooler regions, grow Evergreen Chinkapin as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13a

Keep exploring plants

Evergreen Chinkapin is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.

It belongs to the Castanopsis genus — compare its care with other Castanopsis species on PlantoScan.

Castanopsis is part of the Fagaceae plant family — browse all Fagaceae genera and species.

Evergreen Chinkapin thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Castanopsis Species

Other Castanopsis species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Castanopsis acuminatissima (Blume) A.DC., family Fagaceae (first published in J. Bot. 1: 182 (1863)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Evergreen Chinkapin, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
  • Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

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