Common (English) Oak and Sessile Oak Quercus robur and Quercus petraea

Oak trees have distinctive acorns and leaves. Both of Britains' native oaks, the common and the sessile, are characterised by lobed leaves and by clustering of buds at the end of each twig. The common oak differs from the sessile in having leaves with only short stalks or none at all, and lobes on either side of the base of the leaf, while sessile oak leaves have long stalks and lack basal lobes. In contrast, the acorns and female flowers of the common oak have long stalks while the acorns of the sessile oak have none. However, hybrids between the two species occur with intermediate features.

These trees are widespread throughout the whole of Europe, including Britain. NWT Thursford Wood is a fantastic ancient woodland, home to some of the oldest oak trees in the country.

Pale green leaves open in April, becoming a rich green by summer and then a golden-brown in late October. The wind pollinated catkins, long stalks scattered with simple yellow flowers, open in May. The fertilised female flower becomes the woody acorn by September.

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.