Pedunculate oak, Quercus robur, Q. pedunculataSee also Sessile oak Q. petraea and Red oak Q. borealis. Sources of seed and plants It may not be a true native but has been widely planted in Britain for a very long time and is the most common broadleaved tree in the hedgerows and woodlands of England. It is widespread elsewhere in Britain up to elevations of 480 metres. Good trees and stands are found in many parts of the country. Acorns of Pedunculate oak must be collected from stands included in the National Register of Seed Sources under EEC rules. Silviculture A strong light demander and pioneer species, Pedunculate oak is often grown in mixture with larch, Norway spruce, alder, beech, hornbeam, lime and sycamore. Is also the common over storey in coppice with standards. Soil types Grows best on deep, clay loams, well supplied with water, but not waterlogged. Tolerates heavy clay soils. Rate of growth and yield Grows slowly at first and plastic shelters are being used to protect young trees from browsing and speed up early growth. Care must be taken to favour trees with straight, persistent stems free from epicormic shoots. Under conditions of "free growth" stem diameters of 45 cms are achieved at 70 years. Pruning is used to produce clear stems or beech, hornbeam and Horse chestnut are used to keep the stem free of epicormic branches. Protection and resistance Oak mildew Microsphaera alphitoides must be controlled in the nursery. Tortrix viridana, the oak leaf roller moth, can repeatedly defoliate trees in older stands causing loss of vigour. Pedunculate oak suffers severely from late spring frosts but mainly produces a second flush of leaves. It is wind firm and withstands exposure but does not tolerate atmospheric pollution. It is browsed by deer and damaged by grey squirrels. Establishing and tending All common sizes of planting stock establish well. Fruits at irregular intervals. Coppices strongly. Timber properties The timber is similar but darker and less easy to work than Sessile oak. The control of epicormic shoots is essential to prevent degrade of the timber. Like Sessile oak, the timber is somewhat acidic which tends to promote corrosion of materials, especially iron and steel, in contact with it under damp conditions. Blue-black stains are liable to appear on the timber in these circumstances. Amenity value A handsome, well-proportioned tree. Conservation The oaks support 284 species of insects. The acorns are eaten by jays, mice, squirrels and deer. Timber value Good quality oak is used for furniture, panelling, high class joinery and exterior work. It cleaves well and lower grades are used for fencing, gates and mining timber. All grades are used in boat building. Economic appraisal As with Sessile oak, the site must be suited to the growth of quality timber. The use of shade-bearing species is a well tried method for controlling epicormics and producing long, clear lengths of stem. |
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