Quercus petraea

Sessile Oak
Sessile Oak
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Fagales
Family:	Fagaceae
Genus:	Quercus
Section:	Quercus
Species:	Q. petraea
Binomial name
Quercus petraea (Mattuschka) Liebl.

Shoot with leaves and acorn

An inosculated tree

Quercus petraea (syn. Quercus sessiliflora)^[1], the Sessile Oak, also known as the Durmast Oak, is a species of oak native to most of Europe, and into Anatolia.

Description

The Sessile Oak is a large deciduous tree up to 20-40 m tall, in the white oak section of the genus (Quercus sect. Quercus) and similar to the Pedunculate Oak, Q. robur, with which it overlaps extensively in range. The leaves are 7-14 cm long and 4-8 cm broad, evenly lobed with five to six lobes on each side, and a 1 cm petiole. The flowers are catkins, produced in the spring. The fruit is an acorn 2-3 cm long and 1-2 cm broad, which matures in about 6 months.

Comparison with Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur)

Significant botanical differences with Pedunculate Oak Quercus robur include the stalked leaves, and the stalkless (sessile) acorns, from which one of its common names is derived. It is found more often than the Quercus robur in upland areas with higher rainfall, but also with lighter soils with better drainage. Hybrids with the Quercus robur are often found, and are named Quercus × rosacea; they are intermediate in characters.

Uses

The wood is important, used for construction purposes (particularly timber framing), shipbuilding, and for making oak barrels for wine.

Symbology

Sessile Oak has been designated the national tree of Wales, where it is also called Welsh Oak.^[2]

Diseases

• Acute oak decline
• Sudden oak death

Notes

1. ^ "Quercus sessiliflora Salisb.". USDA GRIN Taxonomy for Plants. http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?30749. 
2. ^ "Tree trail with worldwide flavour", BBC News, 23 July 2004

References

• Flora Europaea: Quercus petraea
• Bean, W. J. (1976). Trees and shrubs hardy in the British Isles 8th ed., revised. John Murray.
• Rushforth, K. (1999). Trees of Britain and Europe. HarperCollins ISBN 0-00-220013-9.
• (French)Chênes: Quercus petraea