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Sessile Oak (Quercus petraea)

Durmast Oak. Welsh Derw, Gaelic Darachor, Irish 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.

Where found: 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 in West and Northern Britain and most of Western Europe and Asia Minor.

Phenology:

Flowers Leaves Fruit Ripen Fall
April/May March/April October/November

Similar species: Pedunculate Oak Q. robur is the other native oak. Exotic oaks are found in parks and gardens but produce inferior timber.

Uses past & present: 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.

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.

 


image of a Lonely Oak in August

Lonely Oak in August