Quercus robur
L. English OakDeciduous spreading tree to c. 20 m high. Bark hard, shallowly furrowed. Leaves papery, variable, mostly c. obovate, 6-12 cm long, 6-8 cm wide, margin with 3-7 rounded lobes on each side, rarely almost pinnatifid, usually auriculate at base; upper surface mid green, glabrous, or occasionally a few hairs near base long midvein; lower surface grey-green, glabrous; petiole 5-10 mm long. Acorns broad-ovoid, 2-4 cm long, solitary or paired (rarely more) on peduncle c. 2-7 cm long; cupule up to c. one-third as long as acorn, often less, scales compact. Catkins produced early spring (just before leaves). Acorns produced mostly late summer and autumn.
Wim, VVP, VRiv, GipP, OtP, WaP, Gold, CVU, DunT, NIS, HSF, HNF, OtR, Strz. Native to Europe generally, northern Africa and western Asia. Commonly grown for ornament, occasionally escaping into adjacent bush, but rarely collected.
The timber is used for furniture, panelling etc., but not or rarely grown in Victoria in commercial quantities. Many cultivars are grown, in particular, 'Fastigiata' of columnar form, is grown as a street tree.
Spinning
