Agroforestry species
The banj oak is suitable for silvi-horticultural systems in the Himalayas. Growing turmeric (Curcuma longa) and ginger (Zingiber officinale) under a banj oak canopy resulted in the highest rhizome yields (39 to 122 t/ha for turmeric and 7.9 t/ha for ginger) and in the highest benefit:cost ratios (Bisht et al., 2004; Bisht et al., 2000a).
Land reclamation
The banj oak, with Acacia nilotica and the pine species Pinus roxburghii, have been successfully used for degraded mining land reclamation in the Indian Central Himalayas (Thakur, 2008). Growing banj oaks increased soil organic matter content of abandoned denuded land in the Garhwal Himalayas (Uniyal et al., 2003).
Regeneration difficulties and tree mortality
Banj oaks are difficult to regenerate due to insect damage, human density and grazing pressure (Chaturvedi, 1995; Thadani et al., 1995). The higher than usual tree mortality observed in 2010-2011 in Uttarakand (Himalayas) was considered to be the result of several factors including pests (stem borer), climatic stresses (drought, frost), human and livestock pressure (Singh et al., 2012).