Taxonomy

Quercus petraea | Sessile Oak | Dair ghaelach

Distribution

Status

Conservation status

Not protected

Native status

Native

Species Biology

Identification

Flowers: May; catkins and flowers

Fruits: Acorns borne on stalks <2cm long

Twigs & bark:  Twigs grey; bark grey and fissured when mature

Habitat

Woodland and hedges, prefers acidic 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 poorer soils

Temporal change

Records submitted to Data Centre in 2024

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Further information

Can grow over 40 m high, over 3m in diameter and often reach an age of 300 years old. Forest crop used in boat and ship building, furniture, joinery and as veneer and plywood. Often hybridises with Q. robur resulting in trees with intermediate characteristics

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