Sessile oak

The sessile oak is so-named because its acorns are not carried on stalks (peduncles) but directly on the outer twigs (sessile). It is commonest in the north and west of Britain.

What other names does it have?

Can also be known as	Durmast Oak
Generic name	Oak
Latin name	Quercus petraea
Family name	Beech
Latin family name	Fagaceae

What type of tree is it?

Is it a broadleaf or conifer?	It is a broadleaf
Does it lose its leaves in autumn?	Yes, it is deciduous

Species description:

Average height	15-30m

Leaf

Description	Rather shallow, regular lobes. On the underneath of the leaf the main veins tend to be hairy
Shape	Lobed
Colour	Dark green often glossy
Leaf bud	The buds are scaly and clustered together at the end of the twigs
Leaf stalk	Long stalk
Leaf arrangement	Alternate
Leaf burst usually occurs	Mid-May

Flower, seed, and fruit

Type of flower	Catkin
Flowering season	Early May – late June
Tree/flower sex	Both sexes
Fruit colour	Green ripening to brown
Fruit season	Autumn
Type of seed body	Acorn
Seeds dispersed by	Wildlife

Bark and twig

Bark description	Grey and ridged
Twig Description	Silvery twig

What other trees are similar?

Can easily be confused with?	Common oak - these have acorns with long stalks and leaves with no stalk Turkey oak-

Where is it usually found?

Is it native or non-native to the British Isles?	Native
Where is its natural range?	Britain and Ireland
Preferred soil type or environmental conditions?	Avoids heavy or alkaline soils. characterstic of north and west of Britain and often absent from the lowlands
What is its British conservation status?	Common

Additional information

Human uses of tree and timber

Sessile oak timber is strong and durable. The heartwood resists penetration by liquids. This, and the straight, close grain, make it ideal for barrels and casks. When used in this way, the wood imparts a particular flavour to wines and spirits. It is also used for construction work, iron-smelting, ship-building and furniture. Like the common oak the bark was used in the tanning industry.

Tree lore and folklore

Oak have a long history of folklore throughout Europe. The oak was sacred to many people, including the ancient Greeks, the Norse and the Celts. It was often associated with the gods of thunder as oak was often split by lightning. This is probably because oaks are often the tallest tree any area. More recently oak was the sacred wood burnt by the druids for their mid-summer sacrifice. In fact the word 'druid' means 'oak man'. In modern history, tradition has it that Charles II hid in an oak tree at Boscobel when pursued by the Roundheads. Since then, children wear oak leaves on May 29th to commemorate Royal Oak Day (now known as Oak Apple Day).

Sessile oak

Sessile oak leaves

Sessile oak - acorns

Twig showing flowers - end of season

Illustrations supplied by
Collins

BritishTrees