Scientific Name
Quercus robur
A member of the white oak group, English oak is the European counterpart of the majestic American white oak. The tree’s native range is most of Europe, including Russia west of the Urals, though it’s not present in most of Spain, where conditions are too dry for it. Like its American cousin, this tree is a classic producer of quality hardwood timber used historically for heavy construction and shipbuilding. This is another very long-lived oak with a modest growth rate; it can easily reach 300 years of age, and specimens upwards of 700 years are not uncommon. English oak here typically matures at approximately 65 feet in height, though the current Colorado champion in Denver is 96 feet tall with a trunk diameter of 54 inches!
English oak leaves are normally smaller than bur or American white oak leaves and have less lobing. A key to identifying the leaves is that they have a short stem with earlobe-like bases. The acorns are far more elongated than most other common landscape oaks and grow on long stems. The acorns are also quite sweet and edible. In fact, there are recipe books available for using them and the acorns of the other white oak group. The tree is adaptable to most sites in Denver, though alkaline soils may sometimes cause it to be chlorotic, i.e., to develop unhealthy yellowish foliage. Unfortunately, English oak lacks much fall color. Compensating for that is the availability of several useful cultivars and hybrids crossed with other oak species that meet specific landscaping needs for columnar, compact and weeping forms. In addition, this oak is easier to transplant than most others.