The Mighty Oaks of England

1
The Mighty Oaks of England

• Molly Egan
• April 13, 2005
• Horticulture Presentation

2
Introduction

• Oak facts
• Why they are important in the English Landscape
• Other uses of oaks
• Mythology of Oaks

3
Oak Facts

• Quercus robur - Pedunculate Oak, Common Oak,
  English Oak. Irish Dair.
• Family - Fagaceae
• DescriptionLarge deciduous tree, Height 30 - 40
  m. Age 1000 years or more.

4
Oak Facts

• HabitatBasic fertile soils ph 4.5 - 7.5
  including heavy soils. Mature trees tolerate
  flooding even by sea-water. Usually found in
  mixed woodland.Natural DistributionThroughout
  Britain and Ireland and most of Western Europe
  and Asia Minor.

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Oak Facts

• There are two varieties of Q. robur, thought of
  as separate species Q. pedunculata, the Common
  Oak, which is distinguished by having acorns in
  ones and twos attached to the twigs by long
  stems, the leaves having scarcely any stalk at
  all.

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The English Oak

• The British Oak, for many centuries was the main
  forest tree of England.
• This tree is bound up with the history of these
  islands from Druid times.

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The English Oak

• A spray of oak was for long engraved on one side
  of the sixpence and the shilling, but was
  superseded by the British lion.
• The Oak, although widely distributed over
  Europe, is regarded as English.

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More Oak Species

• Q. sessiliflora, the Durmast Oak, often included
  with the former, but distinct, the leaves being
  borne on long stalks, while the acorns are on the
  bough.
• This variety of oak is more generally found in
  the lower parts of Britain and in North Wales. It
  is not so long-lived as the Common Oak, and the
  wood, which has a straighter fiber and a finer
  grain, is generally thought less tough and less
  resisting.

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Importance of Oaks in the English Landscape

• There are now 25 trees for every person in
  England and oaks have become the country's most
  common species
• By 2020, there should be more woods in England
  than when William the Conqueror first ordered a
  count in 1086, when it was estimated that trees
  covered 15 of the country.

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Other Uses of Oak

• TimberPale brown hard wood. Less susceptible to
  knotty growth than Q. Robur reducing the
  incidence of knots in the timber.Uses of
  WoodDepending on size and quality used for
  timber, veneer, building timber, hardwood pulp,
  poles, fencing, firewood and charcoal. Coppicing
  of woodland used to produce stakes.

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Other Uses of Oak

• Food and DrinkTannin used to be produced from
  bark for tanning leather. Acorns formerly used to
  feed pigs.Related SpeciesExotic oaks are found
  in parks and gardens but produce inferior timber

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Oak Myths

• The Acorn has also been associated with couples
  and love.
• Dropping of two Acorns into the same bowl of
  water will provide the inquirers with news.
• If Acorns float together then the couple will
  marry, the reverse being true if the Acorns drift
  apart.
• An ancient Pagan to carry an Acorn at all times
  will ensure that you are prevented from growing
  old. This was said to be most successful for
  women.

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Oak Myths

• 'Galls' located on the mighty Oak, can provide
  information to the person looking at it-
• A spider indicates illness will shortly followA
  fly and misfortune will be your companion,But to
  find a worm will provide the lucky person with
  riches and prosperity.

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Oak Myths

• A large Oak in a legend grows at Howth Castle,
  Ireland. The family of St. Lawrences, the Earls
  of Howth are associated with the story of the Oak
  tree. It is believed that when the tree falls the
  Howth familys direct line will become extinct,
  to this day the branches are strongly supported
  on wooden uprights.

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References

• http//www.mystical-www.co.uk/trees/treeso.htmOAK
  
• http//www.forestry.gov.uk/newsrele.nsf/0/13a3aecc
  ee4f9d9880256b04003d0b25?OpenDocument
• http//forests.org/archive/europe/enwoodgr.htm
• http//www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/o/oakcom01
  .html
• http//www.talkabouttrees.org/keys/p30.html
• http//www.british-trees.com/guide/commonoak.htm