English Oak, Common Oak, Pedunculate Oak
Kingdom: Plantae, Division: Angiosperms, Class: Eudicots, Order: Fagales, Family: Fagaceae, Genus: Quercus, Species: Quercus robur · Fagaceae (Beech or Oak family) · Simple, deciduous
Species
Quercus robur
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous
Family
Fagaceae (Beech or Oak family)
Shape
Obovate with 3-7 pairs of rounded lobes and small ear-like lobes (auricles) at the leaf base
Size
Approximately 3-5 inches long and 2-3 inches wide, which falls within the typical range for this species (2.5-5.5 inches).
Margin
Lobed (pinnately lobed with rounded, smooth-edged lobes and deep sinuses)
Arrangement
Alternate, often clustered at the tips of twigs on very short petioles
Rarity
Very Common; it is one of the most widely recognized and planted oak species globally.
Color & Pattern
Deep forest green on the upper surface with a paler, glaucous green underside. No variegation present; typical uniform summer coloration.
Venation Pattern
Pinnate with a prominent central midrib and lateral veins extending into the center of each lobe.
Texture & Surface
Smooth (glabrous) and slightly leathery upper surface; the underside is similarly smooth or very finely pubescent on the veins.
Description
A majestic deciduous tree that can grow up to 40 meters tall with a wide, spreading crown. The bark is grey-brown and deeply fissured in adult trees. It produces distinctive acorns on long stalks (peduncles), distinguishing it from the Sessile Oak.
Key Features
Rounded lobes, very short or absent petiole (leaf stalk), and the presence of small 'ear-lobes' (auricles) at the base of the leaf where it joins the stem.
Habitat
Thrives in deep, fertile, well-drained soils; found in lowland deciduous forests, parklands, and hedgerows.
Geographic Range
Native to Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia. Widely planted and naturalized in North America and temperate regions worldwide.
Condition Notes
Good condition. There is very minor mechanical damage at the tip (distal end) and a slight yellowish tint on the bottom-most lobe, possibly suggesting early nutrient drift or seasonal change.
Interesting Facts
The English Oak is a symbol of strength and endurance. Individual trees can live for over 1,000 years. The 'Major Oak' in Sherwood Forest is a famous specimen linked to the legend of Robin Hood.
Medicinal & Uses
Bark contains high concentrations of tannins used for leather tanning and traditionally as an astringent. The timber is highly valued for furniture, flooring, and shipbuilding (notably for historical naval fleets).
Ecological Role
A keystone species that supports more biodiversity than almost any other native tree in its range, providing habitat for hundreds of insect species, birds, and mammals.
Similar Species
Quercus petraea (Sessile Oak), which has leaves with long petioles and acorns without stalks. Also similar to Quercus alba (White Oak), which typically has deeper lobes.
Foraging Tips
Look for acorns on long stalks in late summer and autumn. The leaves are best identified by checking for the tiny auricles at the leaf base near the stem.
Toxicity Warning
Moderately Toxic; acorns and leaves contain high levels of tannins which can be toxic to horses, cattle, and sheep if consumed in large quantities. Raw acorns are bitter and mildly toxic to humans unless processed to remove tannins.