# English Oak (*Quercus robur*) The English Oak is a strong tree with a thick trunk and wide branches. It provides shade and homes for many animals. - **Category:** [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/tree) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 6 - **Habitat:** Forests - **Also known as:** Common Oak, Pedunculate Oak ![English Oak](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425730/objects/4782.jpg) ## Appearance The English Oak is a large, majestic tree with a broad, irregular crown. It has deeply lobed leaves that turn golden in autumn and distinctive fissured, gray-brown bark. Its small acorns, often found in clusters, hang from long stalks. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Fagales - **Family:** Fagaceae - **Genus:** Quercus ## Interesting facts - English Oaks are more likely to be struck by lightning than most other trees! - Its super strong wood was once used to build mighty ships, like those of the Royal Navy! - Look closely! An oak tree's branches provide homes and food for hundreds of different insect species. - Some ancient English Oaks are so big, their hollow trunks have been used as tiny houses or chapels! ## Special abilities - **Deep Root Anchor:** English Oak can grow a powerful taproot that helps it stay upright against strong winds and find water deep underground. - **Tannin Toughness:** English Oak has special chemicals called tannins in its wood, protecting it from pests and diseases, helping it live longer. - **Acorn Army:** English Oak can produce thousands of acorns, ensuring many new trees can sprout even if some are eaten by animals. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 20-40 m - **Spread:** 15-30 m - **Edible:** No - **Size:** 100-300 cm - **Lifespan:** 300-800 years - **Fruit Type:** Acorn - **Growth Rate:** Medium - **Leaf Type:** Deciduous ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Grey Squirrel (*Sciurus carolinensis*) — loves to eat and bury its acorns. - **Depends on:** [Eurasian Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eurasian-jay) (*Garrulus glandarius*) — buries acorns to eat later, helping plant new oaks. - **Depends on:** Purple Hairstreak (*Favonius quercus*) — its caterpillars feast on young oak leaves. - **Symbiotic with:** Porcini mushroom (*Boletus edulis*) — shares nutrients with its roots underground. ## Traits - [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons. - [Shade Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shade-tolerant): Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight. - [Broadleaf Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/broadleaf-tree): Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates. - [Fruit Bearing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fruit-bearing): Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. ## Collections - [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/trees) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Do not pick or eat anything you find. Some plants and mushrooms can be harmful. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify English Oak? Compare leaves or needles, how they attach to the twig, buds, bark and the shape of the crown. Lobed leaves are useful clues, but several unrelated trees share a similar outline. Tree Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is English Oak? 20-40 m ### How wide does English Oak spread? 15-30 m ### Is English Oak edible? No ### How big is English Oak? 100-300 cm ### How long does English Oak live? 300-800 years ### Where is English Oak usually found? Forests ### What kind of fruit does English Oak produce? Acorn ## Where to spot - [Bellevue Avenue Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bellevue-avenue-historic-district) — Rhode Island, US · Historic District - [Green Animals Topiary Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/green-animals-topiary-garden) — Rhode Island, US · Botanical Garden - [Norman Bird Sanctuary](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/norman-bird-sanctuary) — Rhode Island, US · Nature Reserve - [Aalborg Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/aalborg-zoo) — North Denmark Region, DK · Zoo - [Nantucket Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/nantucket-historic-district) — Massachusetts, US · Historic District - [Migliarino, San Rossore and Massaciuccoli Regional Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/migliarino-san-rossore-and-massaciuccoli-regional-park) — IT · Park [View all places to see English Oak](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/english-oak) ## More Trees - [Sessile Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sessile-oak) (*Quercus petraea*) - [Northern Red Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-red-oak) (*Quercus rubra*) - [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*) - [Sugar Maple](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sugar-maple) (*Acer saccharum*) --- Source: [English Oak: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/english-oak)