English Oak

English Oak Overview

Quercus robur is a large, deciduous tree species in the Fagaceae family. It is planted for forestry, producing long-lasting and durable heartwood, that is used in the production of furniture and other interior work. Capable of growing between 20-40m in height and commonly known as English Oak, this species is a national embalm and forms a wide, spreading crown with an open canopy. The bark is smooth and coloured silver-brown, developing a rough, fissured texture with age. Leaves measure approximately 10cm in length, they have 4-5 deep lobes and a smooth margin. This tree is monoecious and thus has both male and female flowers on the same individual plant. The male flowers are arranged in long, hanging catkin structures, these are coloured yellow-green and the female flowers are small and pink, leading onto nuts called acorns. These trees are also valuable in parks and gardens, the acorns form a valuable food resource for pigs, horses, several small mammals and some birds. This tree exhibits attractive autumn colouration, with the foliage turning red-brown in autumn.