English oak (Quercus robur) is also known by other names like common, European, or pedunculate oak.Belonging to the Fagaceae family of beech and oak, this oak is a flowering species. In comparison to several other tree species that are native to the UK, the English oak, with its prized wood, is also known to support more life, considering that the leaves that fall out also contribute to the biodiversity of the area.The wise, old English oak occupies a significant place in our culture, history, and hearts. One of Britain’s most iconic trees, it is a variety that druids would worship in oak groves and cherish the mistletoe in the oak tree branches. Couples would wed under the canopy of ancient oaks in Oliver Cromwell’s time. The Yule log, adorned with holly and mistletoe for Christmas, was traditionally an oak cutting. Also, Roman emperors and other ancient kings wore crowns of oak leaves. The fruit of the oak, acorns, were believed to be charms of good luck and good health.The oak is considered a national symbol of strength in England. The British Parliament declared Oak Apple Day or Royal Oak Day on May 29 a public holiday in 1660, and the official celebration continued until 1859. Unfortunately, the original Royal Oak at Boscobel was destroyed by tourists snipping the branches off as souvenirs, in the 18th century. Today, the Major Oak is reputed to be UK’s largest oak tree.Classification Of The English Oak TreeAbout 500 years ago, a third of England was covered in forests, predominantly by two different species of oak trees, the English oak, and Durmast oak.The first species is the common oak, or pedunculate oak, also called Quercus robur, which prefers to grow in lower regions.The other species is the sessile oak, also called Quercus petraea, which can be commonly found growing in the upland areas of the British Isles.The two species of oak trees are distinguished by two key features. One feature is the acorn, which grows on stalks (peduncles) on the common oak, while sessile acorns have no stalk.The other distinguishing feature is the dead leaves that stay put on the tree in winter. The common oak trees have short leaf stalks. Also, the common oak is broader than the sessile oak.On the basis of the oak leaf shape, oaks are divided into two main groups; the red oak and the white oak. The red oak leaves are pointed, with bristle-tipped lobes, while the leaves of white oak are either unlobed with prominent teeth or have round lobes.The white oak group comprises English oak, along with white oak, swamp white oak, and bur oak.Colors And Lifespan Of The English Oak TreeOak trees are considered old only when they reach the age of 700 years.The heartwood of the oak is a light to medium brown, commonly with an olive cast, although there’s a fair amount of color variation. Nearly white to light brown sapwood isn’t always sharply demarcated from the heartwood.English oak is very slow-growing and lives for hundreds, or even thousands of years while attaining a huge spread. This longer lifespan means that they can sustain wildlife for centuries.The oldest recorded English oaks are an estimated 2,000 years old. While their centers are in decayed form, as is common with many oak species, they do remain strong.Among the famous English oaks, the most popular one is the Major Oak in Sherwood Forest, which is supposedly over 800 years old. The stories of Robin Hood feature these trees in the Sherwood Forest.The unseasoned green oak was vital in shipbuilding. Most ships, preceding the use of iron in Great Britain, were mainly made from oak, including most of the great naval warships. This led to the Royal Navy earning the nickname ‘The Wooden Walls of Old England’.Characteristics Of The English Oak TreeWith their lobed leaf shape and unmistakable acorns, English oaks are easy to identify.English oak has a wide-spreading crown above thick branches, a short sturdy trunk, and deep fissured gray-brown bark.A mature oak tree can reach around 148 ft (45 m) and is in the category of middle height trees.The rounded spreads of mature oaks are about 80 ft (24.3 m) or more while being smaller in cultivation. Eventually, pieces of bark will loosen and crevices and holes get formed, providing wildlife shelter, food, and a place to breed.The small, deciduous leaves, which are 3-5 in (7.6-12.7 cm) long, have three to seven pairs of rounded lobes with extremely short petioles. These remain a deep green color well into autumn before turning brown and remaining so well into winter.Leaf burst occurs in mid-May and the leaves have almost no stem and grow in bunches.In winter, this tree is identified by the rounded buds in clusters, with each bud having more than three scales. The flower and leaf buds are the food plants of the caterpillars of purple hairstreak butterflies.The flowers are long, yellow hanging catkins that distribute pollen into the air, and appear with emerging leaves in the early spring. The female flowers appear on spiked stalks behind the male flower which are slender and pale green catkins.The fruits of oaks are acorns that are elongated to about 1 in (2.5 cm) long, with the cup that covers one-third of the nut. It takes up to 25-30 years for the first crop of acorns to appear on the tree.As acorns ripen, the green acorn turns brown, loosens from the cupule, and falls to the canopy below, sprouting the following spring. However, most acorns don’t get to germinate as they’re a rich food source for wildlife.Oak trees need a significant amount of water and grow deep, extensive roots that search for water.Of late, sudden oak death, a disease of the oaks, has affected native tree species. The invasion of this starts with the bark, eventually affecting the food flow to the roots from leaves. This causes the roots, upper part of the tree, and branches to die, leading to the felling of these trees.Owing to the durability and strength of oak wood, it was of precious use as timber for roofing in middle age churches, including Lincoln Cathedral. The wood was also used for paneling in castles, churches, and other large buildings.An array of plants and wildlife use different parts of oak at different times, making every bit of the tree valuable, from the top of the canopy to the tip of the roots. Forests populated with oak trees sustain an abundance of life forms as compared to other native forests.Habitat And Distribution Of The English Oak TreeThe English oak is commonly found in the deciduous woods of southern and central Britain, so much so that it has been awarded the status of a national emblem.The English oak is easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soils in full sun. While it prefers moist, well-drained soils, it does adapt to a wide range of soil conditions.This species is susceptible to mildew and anthracnose. Mildew shows with a mild coating on the leaves and flowers, while anthracnose causes leaf spots, browning leaves, and defoliation.Commonly native to Europe, which is mostly west of the Caucasus, the cultivation of this tree is common in temperate lands, also found in the wild, and is scattered around China and North America.Within its native range, the English oak is valued for its importance to insects and other wildlife. Even as a sapling, the oak performs its duty of providing food and homes for wildlife.
English oak (Quercus robur) is also known by other names like common, European, or pedunculate oak.
