Quercus petraea
Sessile Oak

Durmast Oak

Welsh Derw, Gaelic Darachor Dair.

Family Fagaceae

Description
Large deciduous tree growing slowly as seedlings but faster up to 199 years. Height 30-40m Age 1000 years or more
Habitat
Acid upland soils often in pure stands. Prefers lighter well drained soils and not tolerant of flooding ph 4.0 - 6.0.
Natural Distribution
Particularly West and Northern Britain and most of Western Europe and Asia Minor.
The Tree Year
Flowers Leaves Fruit Ripen Fall April/May March/April October/November
Propagation and Growth
Seeds not dormant. Keep cool and dry until time for planting. Will germinate if moist but only produce leaves in spring. Can be planted as soon as collected. Approximately 130 - 500 seeds per kg. Initial shoots grow May/June and again July/August if protected and weeded. Seed mast years every 4-5 years.
Timber
Pale brown hard wood. Less susceptible to epicormic growth than Q. Robur reducing the incidence of knots in the timber.
Uses of Wood
Depending on size and quality used for sawn timber, veneer, building timber, hardwood pulp, poles, fencing, firewood and charcoal. Coppicing of woodland used to produce stakes.
Food and Drink
Tannin used to be produced from bark for tanning leather. Acorns formerly used to feed pigs.
Related Species
Pedunculate Oak Q. robur is the other native oak. Exotic oaks are found in parks and gardens but produce inferior timber.

Quercus robur

Pedunculate Oak

Common Oak

English Oak

Family Fagaceae
Description
Large deciduous tree and probably our commonest tree. Height 30 - 40 m Age 1000 year or more
Habitat
Basic fertile soils ph 4.5 - 7.5 including heavy soils. Mature trees tolerate flooding even by sea-water. Usually found in mixed woodland.
Natural Distribution
Throughout Britain and Ireland and most of Western Europe and Asia Minor.
The Tree Year 

Flowers         Leaves        Fruit        Ripen         Fall

April/May       April           October




Propagation and growth




See Quercus Petraea.  Approx 110 - 450 seeds per kg.




Timber




Pale brown strong wood.  More susceptible to epicormic growth.




Uses of Wood


See Q. Petraea.  Wines and spirits matured in English Oak casks.




Food and Drink





Related Species


As per Q. Petraea














Salix alba



White Willow




Family Salicaceae




Description




Deciduous small tree with long thin leaves.



Height   16m.




Habitat




By streams in association with Alder and downy birch but not waterlogged soils.




Natural Distribution




Through Britain but commonest in England and throughout North Africa and parts of Asia.




The Tree Year 




Flowers       Leaves      Fruit     Ripen       Fall

April/May





Propagation and growth




From sets - insert short lengths of shoots into suitable soils leaving one or two buds above ground.




Timber




Pale brown wood.




Uses of Wood




Shoots used for rough baskets and hurdles.  Burns rapidly.  Pollarded every 4-5 years to produce crop of straight poles.




Food and Drink




Shoots and leaves browsed by animals particularly horses and need protection when small.  Useful for rapidly growing windbreaks and screens.




Related Species


There are 19 species of willow native to Britain - 5 of them are tree

sized.










Salix caprea



Goat Willow


Great Sallow


Pussy Willow




Family Salicaceae


Description




Fast growing small tree or bush.  Striking catkins in March.



Height      6 - 15 m




Habitat




Woods and hedgerows not restricted to wet places.  Up to 600m in Scotland.




Natural Distribution




Throughout Britain and Ireland except outer Hebrides.  Also throughout Europe and North east Africa.




The Tree Year 




Flowers           Leaves         Fruit      Ripen     Fall

March/April       April         May





Propagation and growth




Grown from seed. Fine seeds with hairs aiding dispersion.  Only fresh seeds will germinate in moist soil.




Timber




Brittle branches - does not produce useful timber.




Uses of Wood





Food and Drink





Related Species





















Page 5.21/22/23/24 - Native Trees of the British Isles