About
A small to medium-sized, deciduous tree to 18m tall, initially pyramidal in habit but spreading to form a broad, open crown with age. Insignificant greenish flowers are followed in autumn by acorns, usually solitary and up to 2.5cm long. Deeply-cut, glossy green leaves up to 20cm long with 7-9 lobes have conspicuous tufts of hairs in the vein axils on the undersides; leaves turn red or golden-brown in the autumn.
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 hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeTrees
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
HeightHigher than 12 metres
Spreadwider than 8 metres
Time to full height20-50 years
Suggested usesSpecimen planting, large borders, parkland settings.
Native toSE US
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 in full sun
PruningPruning group 1
PropagationPropagate by seed or 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