English Oak - Quercus robur, species information page

English Oak - Quercus robur, leaves & Acorns

English Oak - Quercus robur
Also known as - Pedunculate Oak

Native and typical deciduous tree of the English countryside growing on most soils to a height of 35m (115ft) and an age of 1000 years or more. Usually found in mixed woodland in most of the British Isles (rare in the north west of Scotland), Western Europe, Ireland and Asia minor. Will tolerate moderate flooding even by sea-water. Dark green elliptical leaves (appearing during April) with three to six deep rounded lobes on each side with no or very small stalks. Flowers appear April to May, male ♂ flowers of drooping yellow-green catkins, inconspicuous female ♀ flowers borne separately on the same tree during the late spring. Clusters of fruits (acorns) upto 4cm (1.5in) held in cups on long stalks, ripen and fall during September and October, eaten by birds, invertebrates and some mammals.

Related to Sessile Oak (Q. petraea), there are also a number of ornamental forms. Pale brown strong wood that is more susceptible to epicormic growth than Sessile Oak, growing at a slower rate with branches that are not as straight. Used for wine and spirit casks, acorns have been used as pig feed. Acorns were roasted and ground to produce a coffee substitute. A sacred tree in pre-Christian times used as Boundary or Gospel Oaks. Still a highly regarded wood for chests and coffins and Churches. Distinguished from the Sessile Oak by "Sessile Short Stalks" referring to the acorns being clustered on very short stalks whereas the acorns of the English Oak have stalks upto 3cm (1.25in) long.

Recently several forms of Oak have been shown to be susceptible to Sudden Oak Death, a disease caused by a fungus-like pathogen Phytophthora ramorum. Widespread in the U.S., with recent reports of the disease in the Uk, it has also been found on several other species, including Douglas fir and Rhododendron. Some species are prone to lethal trunk infections, whilst other plants are infected with supposedly more benign foliar and twig infections, with these foliar infections playing a key role in spread of P. ramorum by acting as an infected reservoir. Rhododendron spp. has been determined as a major source of P. ramorum. Mortality is most common where oaks and these foliar hosts are found growing together.
For more information see the following links (currently all from the U.S.) -

DEFRA - Sudden Oak Death.
Royal horticultural Society - Sudden Oak Death (Phytophthora ramorum) in the UK.
Forestry Commission - Phytophthora ramorum.
www.suddenoakdeath.org - California Oak Mortality Task Force.

Back