English Oak Seeds

Habitat

native to Europe, northern Africa and western Asia
zone 5
Habit and Form

a large, deciduous, shade tree
most trees reach a maximum of 50′ to 70′ tall
develops a rounded and broad crown
branching is upright and spreading
old trees can have irregular branching
young trees are typically pyramidal or have an ovate shape

Summer Foliage

alternate leaf arrangement
relatively small leaves for an oak
2″ to 5″ long
6 to 14 shallow, rounded lobes
color is dark green, olive green or blue-green
leaf base is ear-shaped or auriculate

Autumn Foliage

leaves remain green late into autumn
leaves drop green or turn brown and persist into winter
autumn effect is poor
Flowers

monoecious
male flowers are yellow-green catkins

Fruit

small elongated acorns
0.4″ to 0.6″ across
0.6″ to 1″ long
borne singly or in clusters up to five
mature in one season (white oak group)

Bark

furrows and ridges
gray-black color

Culture

full sun
moist, fertile well-drained soil preferred
soil pH is not critical
Landscape Use

shade tree
lawn tree
needs room to develop
Liabilities

twig or branch kill severe winters
powdery mildew
species is not suitable for small yards
hard to locate species in commerce
ID Features

auriculate leaf base
small leaves with very rounded lobes
twigs somewhat greenish

Propagation

by seed
cultivars are grafted
Cultivars/Varieties

‘Autropurpurea’ – The leaves of this form emerge reddish-brown and mature to a more green color. It is slower-growing with smaller leaves, reaching a mature size of perhaps 30′ tall.

‘Concordia’ – An old selection, this plant features leaves that emerge bright yellow, but then mature to green. It is otherwise similar to the species.

‘Fastigiata’ (also listed as var. fastigiata) – Perhaps the most common oak cultivar, this selection is more common than the species in the United States. It grows narrow and upright and is slow growing. The plant may reach upwards of 50′ tall with a spread of only 10′ to 15′. As this useful plant is susceptible to mildew, recent research has focused on the development of disease-free hybrids. Refer to listings under Q. bicolor and Q. macrocarpa for descriptions of some of the initial introductions. ‘Skyrocket’ is a newer fastigiate form with uniform habit and quality dark green foliage. This selection appears to be highly-resistant to the mildew that plaques this species, especially in warmer climates.

‘Filicifolia’ (also known as ‘Asplenifolia’) – The leaves of this small rounded tree are distinctly incised and cut for a fine-textured, ferny appearance. It is slow-growing and not offered frequently. ‘Salicifolia’ has elliptic un-lobed leaves that resemble a willow. It is a small rounded tree that grows to 30′ tall.

‘Michround’ (Westminster Globe™) – This is a rounded, pyramidal tree that grows to 50′ tall and wide with dark green leaves. It appears to perform best in colder climates.

‘Pendula’ – An umbrella term for various weeping clones, this selection is nonetheless rare in commerce. It features vigorous long branches that arch and may be trained.

‘Pyramich’ (Skymaster™) – This selection becomes pyramidal with widely diverging branches to 50′ tall and 25′ wide. The foliage may not hold up well in hot, humid climates.

‘Variegata’ – Various clones are included under this moniker, most of which are weaker-growing trees with foliage variously marked or mottled with white. They are occasionally offered by specialty nurseries.