Species Name: Common (English) Oak and Sessile Oak - Quercus robur and Quercus petraea
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How to recognise Oak trees have distinctive acorns and leaves. The main distinguishing feature of the common and sessile oaks are the clustering of buds at the end of each twig and lobed leaves. In Britain, there are two native oaks, the common and the sessile. The main distinguishing feature of a common oak is the presence of a stalk on the female flowers and acorns. The leaves appear to have short stalks or no stalks at all and they also have lobes on either side of the base of the leaf. The acorns of a sessile oak do not have stalks, and the leaves have long stalks and they lack the basal lobes. However, hybrids between the two species occur with intermediate features.
Where to see These trees are widespread throughout the whole of Europe, including Britain. NWT Thursford Wood is a fantastic ancient woodland and is home to some of the oldest oak trees in the country.
When to see Pale green leaves open in April, becoming a rich green by summer and then a golden-brown in late October. The flowers of the oak, wind pollinated catkins which appear to be a long stalk scattered with simple yellow flowers, open in May. The fertilised female flower becomes the woody acorn by September.
Conservation status in Norfolk Veteran oaks support a huge range of other wildlife and like other ancient trees need protection for their wildlife and landscape value.
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How to help Why not try growing an oak tree from seed. First find an acorn that has not been chewed. Then drop your acorn into a bowl of water. If it sinks, it is a viable seed which could grow into a tree, if it floats to the top, put it back where you found it and find another one. Plant your seed in a pot, water and place outside. Keep an eye on your seedling and give it a water when needed, but don’t expect anything to happen for quite a long time.
Notify veteran trees to your local tree warden or to the Tree Officer at Norfolk County Council.
Did you know? English oaks can live for over 1,000 years.
Finding out more The Woodland Trust
The Tree Council
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