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QUERCUS
Commonly known as Oak
Genus of about 530 species of deciduous, semi-evergreen or evergreen trees and shrubs in the beech family widely distributed in woodland and scrub in the northern hemisphere extending to tropical latitudes.
Some deciduous species give excellent autumn colour.
Because of land use changes and climate change many species are under acute threat. In the highlands of Mexico, Central America and the northern Andes forests have been cleared to make coffee plantations and cattle ranching. Pine forests are invading oak in the Indian Himalayas because of temperature rise.
In the UK, Phytopthora ramorum (so-called sudden oak death), a bacterium thought to cause acute oak decline and the oak processionary moth, which causes defoliation, are modern threats.
Represented in the UK by 2 natives, Sessile or Durmast (Q. petraea), stalked leaves and unstalked acorns and English or Pedunculate (Q. robur) with very short stalks on leaves and long stalks on acorns.
Two other oaks commonly seen are the holm oak (Q. ilex), evergreen, and the Turkey oak (Q. cerris) which was introduced, mistakenly, as a source of good timber.
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Semi-evergreenKeeps some of its foliage all year, and will drop some leaves as well.Leathery, leaves 10-25cm (4-10in) long by 4-9cm (1½-3½in) wide
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Height30m (98ft) in natural habitat
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Spread30m (98ft)
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Tree
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Tender - cool or frost free greenhouseTolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen. Except in frost-free inner-city areas or coastal extremities requires glasshouse conditions. Plant can withstand temperatures down to 1°C (34°F)
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Will grow outside in milder locationsThis could include plants which would survive happily in a greenhouse or conservatory if not in a mild location. If you have a sheltered spot in your garden then it may do well here.
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Full sun
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Partial shade
- Details
- Mature Size
- Tips and Advice
- Goes Well With
- Planting Combinations
- Other Suggestions
- See Also...
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Additional FeaturesGood to knowA rarity from moist, subtropical woodland valleys. Enormous acorns to 12cm (5in) across. Specimen in temperate house at Kew is trimmedPests & DiseasesAphids, gall wasps, oak wilt, honey fungus, powdery mildewPlace of originCentral America, Mexico
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Garden Location/ConditionsGreenhouse / conservatoryNot the sort of plants to be grown outside where there are likely to be frosts. These plants need to be grown in a conservatory or cool greenhouse or at least brought inside for the winter
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HardinessTender (greenhouse & conservatory)
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Leaf marginSerrate
(see photos above) -
Leaf shapeElliptic
(see photos above) -
Pruning groupPruning group 1Suitable for: Deciduous and evergreen trees, and some deciduous shrubs.
Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Prune wayward or crossing branches to maintain a healthy framework.
When: When dormant in the late winter/early spring. Some in the summer/autumn to prevent bleeding of sap.
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Soil ConditionsFertile moist well-drained soil
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Toxic - Category CHarmful if eatenPets, i.e. cats, dogs, rabbits, rodents, notably dogs
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Tree ShapeRounded to broadly spreading
30m (98ft) in natural habitat
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30m (98ft) |
Buy Varieties of QUERCUS
QUERCUS 'Belle d'Aquitaine'
red new shoots. Deep orange to red autumn colour
QUERCUS buckleyi
leaf margined heavily divided. Brilliant red or yellow autumn colour
QUERCUS cerris
QUERCUS coccinea
excellent autumn colour
QUERCUS ilex
evergreen oak, excellent for windy or coastal conditions
QUERCUS laurifolia
rounded tree with long-lasting foliage, bronze when young
QUERCUS macrocarpa
yellow autumn colour, large acorns
QUERCUS myrsinifolia
small and compact tree with dark green leaves which are paler beneath. Used as a windbreak at Caerhays
QUERCUS palustris
Deeply lobed leaves. Good autumn colour.
QUERCUS petraea
(syn. Q. sessiliflora). Lobed dark green leaves.
QUERCUS phillyreoides
rare evergreen oak with oval leathery glossy green leaves and bronze-tinted new growth
QUERCUS pontica
shrubby or round-headed tree. Stout, reddish shoots
QUERCUS robur
QUERCUS robur 'Concordia'
young leaves suffused golden yellow in spring and early summer
QUERCUS rubra
excellent autumn colour