|
Ireland is considered the northern-most latitude where the oak tree thrives, so why, as the last stop for the oak, are we not growing more? Our two fine examples of native Irish oaks are Quercus Robur (Pedunculate or common oak) and Quercus Petraea (Sessile oak).
Both our oaks are slow growing, acorn producing trees with a large eventual size. Both also display the distinctive oak leaf, tough and dark green with wavy lobed edge. To tell them apart, you must look at their leaves and acorns (fruit); the Pedunculate oak's acorns have stalks whereas the sessile oaks do not.
Further to this, the Pedunculate oak's leaves have little if any stalks attached, whereas the sessile oak's leaves have a stem attached. With this little bit of knowledge, you should forever be able to tell the two trees apart, provided they have leaves and/or acorns.
History and height
The druids and ancient Celts had many beliefs about our native oaks. Chief among the Celts' beliefs being that doors made of oak wood kept out evil spirits. Whereas one of the Druids' main beliefs was that carving symbols into large oak trees gave them protection from lightning. Methinks this has more to do with a large oak tree acting like a lightning rod, diverting the electrical charge away from the druids settlements than any magical property.
Ireland's largest example of a native oak is a Pedunculate oak tree growing at Farnham Estate, Farnham, Co. Cavan, which is an amazing 28 metres tall with a girth of 8.09 metres. The list of sessile oaks within Ireland is topped by the king tree found in Baronscourt Estate, Baronscourt, Co. Tyrone. It is currently 24.2 metres high with a girth (circumference) of 8.35 metres. Now, when you consider that these oaks can eventually grow to 40 metres in height and three metres in trunk girth over a 300-year life span, you will come to realise why this tree is called 'the king of the forest'.
Growing your own
The Pedunculate Oak grows well in moist humus-rich soils, whereas Sessile Oak prefers lighter, free-draining soils. It is because of this it can often be found growing on higher ground. Even so, when planting whichever of the two oaks, do not forget to add copious amounts of compost to the planting hole.
I would really encourage you to plant either of our two native oaks, as, when mature, they provide a home and nourishment for an astounding range of our local fungi, insects and birds, over 400 in fact. Unfortunately, because of their eventual size and deep/wide spreading roots, our native oaks are not ideal long-term trees within the small sized garden.
If you wish to grow the tree well, safely and for the long term, you will require a large area, offering the tree at least 20 metres distance from any built structure to prevent root and branch damage. Always budget on the oak tree growing to a height of 15 metres and a spread of 12 metres, then you won't go wrong.
Until next week, happy gardening and remember that a weed is just a plant in the wrong place.
Comments () » |
 |
 |
