#162 ENGLISH OAK
Quercus robur

Planted: 1992
This tree is near the entrance, in the Playing Field hedge
Distribution: | Europe, Caucasus, Asia Minor and N Africa. Native to the British Isles |
Planting Date: | 1992 – 1993 by groundsman – self grown from acorn |
Growth Habit: | A large long-lived tree with a broad head. |
Bark: | Greyish brown and closely grooved with vertical plates. Often with large burrs on the trunk. |
Leaf: | 10 cm long, sessile or almost so, shallowly lobed and auricled at the base. |
Flowers: | Long, yellow hanging catkins – wind pollinated. |
Fruit: | Acorns 2 to 2.5 cm long in cupules- one to several on a slender stalk. |
Toxicity: | Poisonous humans and livestock, if ingested in large quantities. |
Potential tree size: | 20 to 40 m |
Uses: | Timber used for furniture, flooring, panelling and veneers. Bark traditionally used in tanning. Acorns, leaves and bark used in traditional medicine. |
Plant Hunter: | Native |
Introduction Date: | Native |
Anecdotes and Comments: | Almost all ancient English oaks belong to this species. Oak forests support more life forms than any other native forest. |