Oak, English
The English Oak, the majesty of the woods, is a broadleaved deciduous tree, that can grow to a height of 40m, and may live for 1,000 years.
This species grows and matures to form a broad and spreading crown with sturdy branches beneath.
This tree was planted in memory of Mr Edward Holmes, who was the Trustees’ Clerk from the Gardens’ opening in 1888 until his death in 1908.
Photo supplied by: Alan Payne
Common Name:
English Oak
Scentific Name:
Quercus robur
Tree No:
143
Location:
L12
The leaves are round 10cm long with 4–5 deep lobes with smooth edges. Leaf-burst occurs mid-May and the leaves have almost no stem and grow in bunches.
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Long, yellow hanging catkins which distribute pollen into the air.
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The fruit is an acorn. The acorns are 2–2.5cm long, on long stalks and in cupules (the cup-shaped base of the acorn). As it ripens, the green acorn turns brown, loosens from the cupule and falls to the canopy below, sprouting the following spring.
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English Oak is native to the UK. It is especially common in deciduous woods in southern and central Britain. In fact, it’s so frequent that it has assumed the status of a national emblem.
Oak forests support more life forms than any other native forest. They are host to hundreds of insect species, supplying many birds with an important food source. In autumn, mammals such as squirrels, badgers and deer feed on acorns.
Flower and leaf buds of English oak are the food plants of the caterpillars of butterflies.
The soft leaves of English oaks break down with ease in autumn and form a rich leaf mould beneath the tree, supporting invertebrates such as the stag beetle, and fungi, like the oak bug milk cap. Holes and crevices in the tree bark are perfect nesting spots for the pied flycatcher, redstart or marsh tit.
Oaks produce one of the hardest and most durable timbers on the planet. However, it takes up to 150 years before an oak is ready to use in construction. It has been a prized hardwood timber for thousands of years and is still used for wood framed buildings, doors, flooring, and furniture, as well as wine and sherry barrels, which are subsequently used for aging whisky.
An ancient example of Oak framed buildings can be seen at Cressing Temple Barns, where the Oak framed barns were built in the 13th century.
Ash, Elm and Oak, were used in the manufacture of cart wheels.
Oak is used for the spokes, because it doesn’t bend, compress or flex and transfers any load pressures directly from the felloes (rim) to the nave (hub).
It is interesting to see the difference of this tree from the Oak tree, planted 20 years before the Memorial Oak near the café. It is a much poorer specimen, due to the fact it was planted too close to the cedar – it is struggling to get up into the day light.
It goes to show how important it is, when planting trees, to consider how they will fare when their neighbours grow up!
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