About
This small, slow-growing tree or large shrub to 10m tall, initially narrowly columnar in habit before spreading to form a rounded crown. Leaves may take on red and orange autumnal hues before turning a warm brown with most remaining attached to the tree over the winter before dropping in spring. Stout shoots bear very large, ovate, glossy green leaves with rounded lobes that may reach up to 30cm long on mature trees. Greenish-yellow catkins in spring are followed by clusters of brown acorns about 2cm long.
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, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs, Trees
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height8-12 metres
Spread4-8 metres
Time to full heightMore than 50 years
Suggested usesSpecimen planting, large borders, parkland settings.
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
PruningPruning group 1
PropagationPropagate by grafting in mid-autumn or late winter
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