Description

English Oak

Oak is known to be one of the most popular, well-known trees in the UK and across the whole of Europe. The Oak holds a special place in our culture, history and in our woodland. It supports more native wildlife that any other variety of tree across the whole of the UK.

The Oak can grow anywhere from 20m to 40m tall with a broad spreading crown and unusually thick stems, this is one of the most recognisable features. It has distinct round lobed leaves with short stalks and can be identified in winter with its rounded buds in clusters with more than three scales.

The Oak trees are also well known for their acorns which start off green but eventually ripen into a deep brown colour. The acorns are very popular with the likes of squirrels, badgers, and deer. Often, squirrels store the acorns under the ground for later consumption, but instead, forget where they are placed, allowing the acorns to germinate and form new young trees. The Oak trees live sometimes for hundreds of years, making them ideal for carbon offsetting and not to mention a stable habitat for all the wildlife they support.

Oaks can also be used to form brilliant hedge plants if simply trimmed on top to help them bush out. They mix well with other native varieties but also look great planted in a line. The Oaks are deciduous, so lose their leaves, however this is usually much later than other varieties of native plants, this allows them to offer good privacy levels through the year.

The recommended planting density varies depending on the height of the plants you buy, for example:

Small – 15-90cm: It is recommended that you plant 3-5 plants per meter

Medium – 90-150cm: It is recommended that you plant 2-3 plants per meter

Large – 150-300cm: It is recommended that you plant 1-2 plants per meter