The Oak: Bow to the King of the Forest

Scientific Name: Quercus robur

The English oak is native to Europe and western Asia. It is a dominant tree in many woodlands and forests, preferring deep, fertile soils. In the UK, it is a symbol of strength and longevity, found throughout the country. We have two native oaks, the Penduculate or Common Oak (Quercus robur) and the Sessile Oak (Quercus petrea).

How to Identify an Oak

Oak is a large, majestic tree often many hundreds of years old up to 1000 years. It is deciduous with a broad, spreading crown and thick, sometimes gnarled branches. Male and female flowers are found on the same tree.

• Catkins: Yellow, drooping male flowers in clusters, appearing in spring (April/May).
• Female flowers: tiny red flower buds found between leaves and branches.
• Acorns: Oval nuts, enclosed in a cup-shaped cap, ripening in autumn.
• Leaves: Lobed, dark green leaves, turning brown in autumn. The leaves first appear April to May and are about 10cm long. All leaves will have dropped by December.

Our two native oaks are very similar, so similar people get confused about which is which, so here’s the low down. It’s all down to the length of a stalk!

Pendunculate Oak: the leaf has a short stalk and noticeable ‘ear lobes’ at the bottom of the leaf. It’s acorns have long stalks.

Sessile Oak: is the other way around. The leaf has a long stalk and no lobes at the bottom, while the acorns have no stalk and sit directly on the twig.

Species that Oak Supports

Oak is described as a keystone species and supports more wildlife than any other native tree. It’s estimated that the oak supports over 2,300 species providing shelter, food or a place to breed.

Of those species, 326 depend uniquely on the oak for their survival.

Insects/invertebrates: Purple Hairstreak Butterfly (eat oak flowers), the Oak Mining Bee and Wood Ants hunt down aphids and their honeydew.

Mammals: many mammals eat the acorns, in particular, squirrels, deer, birds, wild boar, wood mouse and badgers. The oak flowers are also eaten by squirrels.

Birds: the oak supports 38 species of bird including amber and red-listed birds, the Tree Pipit, Wood Warbler and Redstart.

The tree’s bark provides food and habitat for moths, birds, bats and beetles. The oak also supports the rare Purple Emperor butterfly. And then you can’t forget the fungus, liverworts and mosses!

The History of the Oak

Sacred: the tree is sacred to the druids and continues to be associated with strength, wisdom, and longevity.

Symbolic: the oak is England’s national tree.

Markers: oaks were often planted as boundary markers on woodland edges and estates and were often used for meeting places.

Practical uses: aside from its strong wood that’s been used for everything including houses and ships, its bark has been used for tanning leather and furniture. Acorns have even been used to make coffee.

Interestingly, much of the oak used in the UK market is brought in from abroad as they other countries still coppice oak, increasing availability.

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