Caucasian Oak, Persian Oak
 

Mature Size, Growth, Longevity

Narrow habit in youth. Develops an upright oval-rounded, spherical growth habit and shape. Grows 65-100' tall. Densely branched and foliaged.

Native Range

Native to western & southwestern Asia, northern Iran, Caucasus, at altitudes up to 8,200'.

Flower and Fruit Details

Monoecious flowers; male catkins, April-May, gold in color, 2-3" long ("macranthera" means "long flowers"). 1-1.4" acorns in groups of 1-4, and are 1/2-2/3 enclosed in the cupule (cap).

Leaf and Bark Features

Deciduous: Dark green, leathery leaves are simple, alternate, obovate-ovoid, 4.5-8.5" long & 2-5.5" wide, sinuate, or w/ 6-10 pairs of small, shallow-cut lobes, w/ several very small lobes or rounded teeth sometimes near the tip. Undersides gray & felt-like. Leaf base is tapered, acute angle, triangular where attaches to short petiole. Clusters of leaves result from the cluster of buds at the tip of the stem. Yellow-green petiole & midrib. Fall color is reddish-brown. The young, silvery bark turns to dark brownish-gray, becoming rough and deep-grooved. Twigs reddish brown with soft hairs.

Culture and Care

Adaptable to various soils. Tolerates wet or dry sites. Zones (6)7-10. Good wind resistance. Resistant to de-icing salt. Needs full sun to part shade. Prefers porous, nutrient-rich soils of slightly acidic to slightly alkaline nature. Does not tolerate flooding or waterlogged sites. Resistant to powdery mildew and most other potential problems. Gets some galls.

Strengths, Weaknesses, Other Facts

Good wildlife value. 3-season interest: Spring, summer & fall. Not common. Occasionally grown as an ornamental tree in Europe.

Suggested Uses

A good choice for parks, cemeteries, industrial areas and large gardens, as a specimen tree.

Taxa and Plants of this Species at BCA