The Oak Family

(Fagaceae)

Family Description

The Oak is a much-loved tree in Britain. Oak produces acorns, a favourite food of squirrels, deer and jays.

Because it is so strong, Oak has been cut over the last few hundred years, for house-building, boat-building and for fires.

As well as many types of Oak tree, the Oak family also contains Beech and Sweet Chestnut.

Oak can be found in hedgerows, in woodland, at the woodland's edge and in fields.

Evergreen Oak likes warm, rocky habitats and well-drained soils.

English Oak likes a variety of soils, especially basic loams and clays and can grow on hills up to a height of 1,400m. It can grow in the shade of other trees.

Oak is tolerant of the shade of other trees but when fully grown will not permit most other species to grow in its shade.

Special features

The leaves have rounded wavy-shaped edges and are crowded together on the twigs.

Most Oaks are "deciduous" (which means that they shed their leaves in the winter) but there are some evergreen varieties, like the Evergreen Oak.

Many ancient oaks have rotten trunks. It is believed that this leads to a hollow structure that is actually stronger than a solid trunk would be. This has probably led to oaks living for up to 1,000 years.

English Oak and Sessile Oak have a huge crown, gnarled twisted branches and dark rough bark.

Reproduction

The Oak has both male and female flowers. The male flowers, which produce pollen, grow on long stiff bunches of flowers, called "catkins", which are a yellow-green colour.The female flowers, which produce eggs, are spiky. Pollen is transferred to female flowers by the wind.

Later, seeds, known as acorns, grow out of the female flower, in a woody brown cap.

Seasonal Distribution

Flowers appear in April and May.

Seeds (acorns) appear in May.

English Oak can be found throughout Britain, especially in the

lowlands. Because it likes clay and loam soils it is common in South, East and Central England.

Sessile Oak can be found throughout Britain. Many are found in the sandy soils of North and Western England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. Sessile Oak woods are also found in acid soils in southern England.

Evergreen Oak trees have been planted across Britain, especially coastal areas, northwards to South Lancashire and in patches in Ireland.

The Oak used to be a sacred tree to many people in Britain. It represents strength and long-life. People worshipped the Oak as a symbol of the God of Thunder "Zeus". It was believed that if babies slept in cradles made of Oak, they would grow strong enough to fight off goblins.

People used to think that it was good for you to sleep underneath an Oak tree and that doing so could cure illnesses and bring good luck. Being dripped on by water from its branches was also thought to bring good. People used to wear a piece of Oak around their necks for good luck.

The Oak is struck by lightening more often than any other tree.