Quercus robur
English Oak
Mature Size, Growth, Longevity
Average mature size 40-70' tall with similar width in the landscape, possibly 75-100' in optimal conditions in native habitat. A large, massive, open-headed tree with a short trunk. National champion is over 100' tall & wide. Habit is pyramidal/rounded. Slow to medium growth rate. This is a very long-lived tree, to 500-1,200 years.
Native Range
Species native to Europe, northern Africa, western and southwestern Asia. Has been long in cultivation. Introduced in 1783.
Flower and Fruit Details
Monoecious flowers are wind pollinated. Male in catkins. Female flowers tiny, reddish. Acorns start at age 20-25, are shiny brown to dark brown, long and narrow, about 1" long and 1/2" wide. The light gray cap covers the nut by 1/4-1/3 or up to 1/2. Acorns hang on 1-4" long, slender stems ("peduncles", thus the one common name).
Leaf and Bark Features
Deciduous: Leaves are alternate, simple, 2-5" in length and 3/4-2.5" in width, rounded at the tip, obovate/oblong in shape, with tiny, ear-like ("auriculate") lobes at the base, w/ 3-7 pairs of veins on medium-length, rounded lobes. Topside of leaves glabrous, dark green to blue-green, lighter color beneath, w/ a short petiole, only 1/6-1/3" long. Fall color is non-existent. Leaves fall off green in autumn, or persist and turn brown into the winter. Bark is grayish-black and deeply furrowed. Bark is darker than white oak.
Culture and Care
Prefers well drained soil in full sun, tolerates light shade. pH tolerant. Adapts to various soil types. Zone 4-8. Drought tolerant. Powdery mildew is a common problem on the species and some cultivars, often coating the leaves and turning them whitish-gray.
Strengths, Weaknesses, Other Facts
Good wildlife value. 3-season interest: Spring, summer and fall. Once acorn production starts, acorns ripen in one season. Widely planted in North America since the 1600's. Known in Europe as "The King of Trees" for its durability and strength. "Robur" means "robust".
Suggested Uses
Makes a good specimen shade tree, especially in large lawns and parks. Also works well in group plantings.
Taxa and Plants of this Species at BCA
The following taxa are (or were) represented in the collections at Boone County Arboretum. Additional taxa may be available in the trade that are not included here.
Quercus robur // English Oak ("straight species")
Tree.
-- not currently in our collection --Quercus robur 'Argenteo-marginata' // Variegated English Oak
Tree. Blue-green foliage with pure white margins. The oblong leaves, borne on very short petioles, have undulating, wavy edges. Leaves start out downy, becoming glossy with age, becoming variegated, then holding late into the fall with little color change. Occasional yellow/brown mixed in during the late autumn. A medium-sized tree, oval to rounded habit, 35-55' tall and 25-40' wide. Needs full sun to light shade. Ridged and furrowed, corky bark is brown to black. Zone 5-8. Oblong-oval acorns develop singly, or in clusters of 2-5. Ducks and other large birds eat the acorns. Pollution tolerant. Verticillium wilt resistant. Susceptible to powdery mildew.
BT001339Quercus robur 'Asjes' // Rosehill® English Oak
Tree. A mildew-free selection with leaves that are glossy pure green, not a dull blue-green that is typical for the species. Grows to 40-50' tall and 20-30' wide. Narrow-oval to wide, loose, irregular, fastigiate habit. Occasionally, may produce some copper to red fall foliage color, but usually green in fall. Prefers slightly acid soil, but is tolerant of higher pH as well. Tolerates wet areas, but not with standing water. Also drought tolerant. Pollution tolerant. Resistant to Verticillium Wilt. Zones 4-8. Use as a street tree, hedge or in border plantings. Good as a specimen or for naturalizing.
BT001690 - BT001720Quercus robur 'Concordia' // Golden English Oak
Tree. 20-35' tall and wide. New leaves emerge bright yellow, gradually changing to green by summer. Needs partial shade to avoid sunscorch. This is an old cultivar that has been around since 1843. Leaves have 4-7 pairs of shallow, rounded lobes. Zones 5-8. Pollution tolerant. Makes a good street tree. May have problems with powdery mildew. Fall color is golden yellow.
-- not currently in our collection --Quercus robur 'Fastigiata' // Fastigit English Oak
Tree. Very narrow, upright-columnar in habit, but variation occurs when grown from seed. Gets 50-60' tall, but only 10-20' wide. Leaves remain green throughout the growing season, with little fall color. Zones 5-8. Needs full sun. Good as an accent plant or for screening. Makes a good street tree or park tree. Tolerates drought and air pollution. Excellent tree where a vertical plant is needed. Gets powdery mildew.
-- not currently in our collection --Quercus robur 'Filicifolia' // Cut-leaved (English) Oak
Tree. Leaves have very narrow, linear lobes and deeply cut sinuses, incised virtually to the midrib, resembling the fronds of a fern, as the lobes are curved toward the leaf tip. The tree has an upright, irregular to pyramidal-rounded growth habit. Attractive, with its blue-green, lacey, fern-like foliage, but not a vigorous grower. Pollution tolerant. Verticillium wilt resistant. Needs full sun. Stays small (10-25') for many years, eventually reaching 35-50' tall & wide. Gray bark fissures w/ age. Fall color is green to poor yellow. Zones 5-8. Has also sometimes been described as Quercus robur 'Asplenifolia'. Also, nearly the same as 'Pectinata'. A good, adaptable specimen tree for shade and its fine textural qualities.
BT001297 - BT001627Quercus robur 'Pectinata' // Pectinata English Oak
Tree. 2-6" leaves have very narrow, linear lobes and deeply cut sinuses, incised virtually to the midrib, resembling the fronds of a fern, as the lobes are curved toward the leaf tip. The tree has an upright, irregular to pyramidal-rounded, open growth habit. Attractive, with its blue-green, lacey, fern-like foliage, but not a vigorous grower. Pollution tolerant. Verticillium wilt resistant. Needs full sun. Stays small (10-25') for many years, eventually reaching 35-50' tall & wide. Gray bark fissures w/ age. 3/4" acorns, 2-6 per cluster. Fall color is green to poor yellow. Zones 5-8. This tree is nearly the same as 'Filicifolia'. A good, adaptable specimen tree for shade and its fine textural qualities. Strong; wind-tolerant. Good in parks/ cemeteries/ lawns.
BT008525Quercus robur subsp. Pedunculiflora // Pedunculiflora English Oak
Tree. Gets 40-50' tall. Native to Asia Minor, the Caucasus and the Balkans. Leaves like straight species, except Pedunculiflora leaves are thicker and wider, w/ 4-5 pairs of lobes that are larger &:more dentate, & leaf undersides and cap scales are pubescent. Flowers and fruits borne on a long peduncle, thus the subspecies name. Acorns are long and narrow. Very drought tolerant.
BT001137 - BT001419 - BT001574