About
An evergreen, strong-growing, spreading tree to 20m tall with elliptic to lance-shaped, wavy-edged leaves to 2cm long and 8cm wide. New, downy leaves emerge in spring and sometimes summer a reddish-purple colour before maturing to a glossy, dark green with prominent veins and a blistered or puckered appearance. Small, ovoid acorns 1-1.5cm long follow inconspicuous flowers.
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 typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectNorth-facing, West-facing, South-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeTrees
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
HeightHigher than 12 metres
Spreadwider than 8 metres
Time to full heightMore than 50 years
Suggested usesSpecimen planting, large borders, parkland settings.
Native toMexico
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 a fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Does best when sheltered from cold, drying winds
PruningPruning group 1
PropagationPropagate by seed or 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