About
This evergreen, small tree eventually reaching up to 12m high with a broadly rounded crown of spreading branches and a stout trunk of smooth black bark that becomes rougher with age. Rigid, dark green, shiny leaves are oval to rounded, up to 5cm long with spine-tipped teeth and short stalks. Cone-shaped acorns to 2.5cm long ripen in the first year.
About the genus
Quercus can be deciduous or evergreen trees or shrubs, with entire, lobed or toothed leaves; flowers inconspicuous, followed by characteristic acorns; sometimes good autumn colour
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeTrees
HabitBushy, Spreading branched
FoliageEvergreen
Height8-12 metres
Spreadwider than 8 metres
Time to full height20-50 years
Suggested usesArchitectural, Coastal
Native toMexico and USA (California)
ToxicityPets (dogs): Harmful if eaten - for further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Care notes
CultivationGrow in deep, fertile, well-drained soil. See tree cultivation for further advice
PruningPruning group 1
PropagationPropagate by grafting
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to oak processionary moth, aphids, caterpillars, leaf-mining moths and oak gall wasps
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildews and honey fungus