Taxonomy
Quercus robur | Pedunculate Oak | Dair ghallda
Distribution
Status
Conservation status
Not protected
Native status
Native
Species Biology
Identification
Flowers: May; catkins and flowers
Fruits: Acorns borne on stalks >1.5cm
long
Twigs & bark: Twigs grey; bark grey and fissured when mature
Habitat
Woodland and hedges, fen margins, prefers heavy alkaline soils
Life cycle
Perennial
Ex-situ conservation
Not known
Use
Forest crop
Vegetative nature
Woody
Distribution
World distribution(GBIF)
Irish distribution
Very frequent, especially on richer soils, often planted
Temporal change
Records submitted to Data Centre in 2024
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Further information
A Forest crop, Quercus robur was named for its sturdy nature ('robur' means 'strength' in Latin). It can take as long as 150 years before an oak is ready for use in construction. Oak became the material of choice for building ships, oak bark has been used in leather tanning and in dyeing, and the acorns are valued as food for livestock. Celts believed that doors made of oak wood kept out evil spirits. One of our largest long-lived trees, it provides an important habitat for many other species.