What hardiness zones is Quercus robur suitable for?

Quercus robur is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

What are the sun requirements for Quercus robur?

Quercus robur requires Full Sun.

How much water does Quercus robur need?

Quercus robur has Medium water needs.

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Broadleaf Deciduous Trees

Quercus robur

English oak

FagaceaeEurope, Caucasus

At a Glance

TypeTree

HabitSpreading

FoliageDeciduous

Height40-70 feet (12-21 m)

Width40-70 feet (12-21 m)

Maturity25 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

3 - 8

Zone 3

Zone 4

Zone 5

Zone 6

Zone 7

Zone 8

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Butterflies

Deer Resistant

Drought Tolerant

Maintenancelow

Overview

Quercus robur is a large, long-lived deciduous tree reaching 40-70 feet (12-21 m) tall in cultivation, with a spread of 40-70 feet (12-21 m), forming a broad, rounded crown with heavy, spreading lateral branches. In open settings, the trunk is short and stout, dividing into massive limbs; in forest conditions, the trunk is taller and straighter. Bark is dark gray-brown, deeply fissured into vertical ridges. Leaves are obovate, 3-5 inches (8-13 cm) long, with 3-7 pairs of rounded lobes and distinctive small ear-shaped lobes (auricles) at the leaf base clasping a very short petiole less than 0.4 inches (1 cm) long. Foliage emerges yellow-green in spring, matures to dark green, and turns yellow-brown to russet in fall; leaves often persist on branches well into winter (marcescent). Male catkins appear in April to May with emerging leaves. Acorns are ovoid, 0.6-1 inch (1.5-2.5 cm) long, borne in pairs on penduncles 1-3 inches (2.5-8 cm) long — a key identification feature distinguishing this species from Quercus petraea. Growth rate is slow to moderate, adding 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) per year. Trees can live 500-1,000 years under favorable conditions. Susceptible to oak powdery mildew, which causes white patches on foliage but is typically cosmetic. Oak processionary moth is a concern in some European populations but is not currently established in the Pacific Northwest.

Native Range

Native across Europe, from the British Isles and Scandinavia south to the Mediterranean basin, and east through the Caucasus to the Ural Mountains. Found in lowland and foothill forests, hedgerows, and parklands on a wide range of soils, from clay to sandy loam, at elevations from sea level to approximately 4,300 feet (1,300 m).

Suggested Uses

Used as a specimen shade tree in parks, large estates, and institutional grounds where space permits the full mature spread of 40-70 feet (12-21 m). Space a minimum of 40 feet (12 m) from structures. Columnar cultivars such as Quercus robur 'Fastigiata' are available for narrower sites. Acorns provide food for squirrels, jays, and other wildlife.

How to Identify

Identified by obovate leaves 3-5 inches (8-13 cm) long with 3-7 pairs of rounded lobes and small auricles at the base clasping an extremely short petiole under 0.4 inches (1 cm). Acorns are borne on long stalks (peduncles) 1-3 inches (2.5-8 cm) long, distinguishing this species from the stalkless acorns of Quercus petraea. Bark is dark gray-brown with deep vertical fissures. Crown is broad and rounded with heavy lateral branching in open-grown specimens.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height40' - 70'

Width/Spread40' - 70'

Reaches mature size in approximately 25 years

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

green

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

brown

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~2 weeks

Spring

Inconspicuous male catkins appear in April to May as leaves emerge. Female flowers are small and wind-pollinated, borne singly or in pairs on the current year's growth. Flowers are not ornamentally significant. Acorns mature in one growing season, ripening in September to October.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Yellowish-green catkins

Foliage Description

Dark green above, paler blue-green beneath

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loamclaysand

Drainage

well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

20-30 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Water deeply once every 1-2 weeks during the first 2-3 growing seasons to establish the deep root system. Established trees are drought tolerant but maintain better foliage in prolonged dry periods with occasional deep irrigation. Do not grade, pave, or compact soil within the drip line, as root damage leads to decline that may not manifest for several years. Oak powdery mildew (Erysiphe alphitoides) is common on young foliage and regrowth but is cosmetic and does not affect tree health. Sudden oak death (Phytophthora ramorum) is present in the Pacific Northwest; Quercus robur shows moderate susceptibility. Avoid wounding the trunk during the growing season to reduce risk of oak wilt in regions where it occurs.

Pruning

Prune in late winter while fully dormant (January-February) to minimize sap bleeding and reduce risk of disease transmission. Structural pruning in the first 10-15 years establishes a strong central leader and well-spaced scaffold branches. Remove crossing branches, narrow V-crotches, and dead wood. Mature trees rarely require pruning beyond deadwood removal. Avoid removing more than 20% of the live crown in any single year.

Pruning Schedule

winter

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic