English oak (Quercus robur L.)

Appearance

Quercus robur has a wide spreading crown, short sturdy trunk, and deeply fissured gray brown bark. It can grow to 140 ft (42.7 m) tall with a rounded spread of 80 ft (24.4 m) or more, but is usually smaller in cultivation. It is native to Asia and Europe.

Foliage

The small deciduous leaves, 3-5 in (7.6-12.7 cm) long, with 3-7 pairs of rounded lobes, and extremely short petioles. They remain deep green long into autumn before turning brown and then persisting on the tree well into winter.

Flowers

The flowers are hanging catkins which appear with the emerging leaves in early spring.

Fruit

The fruits are acorns which are elongate, about 1 in (2.5 cm) long, with a cup that covers 1/3 of the nut. They are born singly or in clusters of 2-5 which dangle on a single long 1-4 in (5.1-10.2 cm) peduncle.

Ecological Threat

Q. robur is easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soils in full sun. It prefers moist well-drained soils, but adapts to a wide range of soil conditions. Can take up to 25-30 years for this tree to bear a first crop of acorns.

Selected Images

Maps

EDDMapS Distribution - This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts, herbaria, and literature. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org

State Lists - This map identifies those states that have this species on their invasive species list or law.

Invasive Listing Sources

Taxonomic Rank

Domain: Eukarya

Kingdom: Plantae

Phylum: Magnoliophyta

Class: Magnoliopsida

Superorder: Rosanae

Order: Fagales

Family: Fagaceae

Genus: Quercus L.

Quercus robur L.

References

Common Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.

Scientific Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.