Quercus lusitanica – Lusitanian Oak - Evergreen Trees Direct

Quercus lusitanica – Lusitanian Oak

$1,200.00

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Size: 200L

200L 750L 1000L

Current Stock Height Guides

200L: 2.7m – 3.2m Approx.
750L: Enquire within for height guide information.

Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you mustconfirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 3m to 5m

Mature Width: 2m to 4m

Quercus lusitanica – Lusitanian Oak is expected to grow 30cm to 50cm per year (moderate) (approx.).

Root Ball Dimensions

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

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Phone: (03) 7042 3318

About Your New Quercus lusitanica – Lusitanian Oak

Quercus lusitanica, the Lusitanian or Gall Oak, is a compact evergreen oak grown as a tall shrub or small tree. The small, finely toothed leaves are soft green and held densely right down to the base, which is what makes it useful as a screen rather than a shade tree.

Full sun and well drained soil produce the tightest growth, and it holds foliage year round through temperate, warm temperate and Mediterranean climates. Growth is moderate at roughly 30 to 50 centimetres a year, to 3 to 5 metres tall and 2 to 4 metres wide. Drought tolerance is good once established.

Use it along boundaries, between neighbouring windows, as a windbreak on an exposed site, or clipped into a formal hedge where a wall of green is wanted at first floor height. It suits medium sized gardens, urban courtyards and civic screens, giving year round privacy on a footprint most screening trees cannot manage.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Lusitanian Oak

What is Quercus lusitanica?

The Lusitanian Oak, also known as the Gall Oak, is a compact evergreen oak from the Iberian Peninsula and North Africa. It grows as a dense tall shrub or small tree with small, finely toothed, soft green leaves carried right down to ground level, which is what makes it a screening plant.

How tall does it grow?

It reaches about 3 to 5 metres tall and 2 to 4 metres wide, which puts it at the useful height for blocking a first floor window or a neighbouring roofline. Clipping holds it lower if you want a 2 metre hedge. It is one of the smaller oaks in cultivation.

How far apart should I plant it for a hedge or screen?

Space plants 1 to 1.5 metres apart for a dense informal screen, or 80 centimetres apart for a tighter formal hedge that knits together sooner. As individual feature plants allow 3 to 4 metres so each one can carry its full width. Closer spacing fills faster but needs more pruning later on.

Is it evergreen?

Yes, it holds its foliage year round, so a screen planted for privacy stays solid through winter when it is often needed most. Older leaves are replaced gradually across the year rather than all at once, so there is no seasonal bare patch or heavy leaf drop to manage.

Is it drought tolerant?

Drought tolerance is good once the root system is down, which typically takes two summers. It comes from hot dry Mediterranean country and copes with extended dry spells, though a hedge under regular clipping appreciates water more than an unpruned plant. Drainage matters more to it than rainfall does.

Does it need full sun?

Full sun gives the densest, tightest growth and the best screening. It will take a few hours of shade, particularly afternoon shade in hot inland areas, but a plant grown in deep shade opens up and thins out at the base, which defeats the purpose of a screen.

How do I prune and care for it?

Clip once or twice a year, in late spring and again in late summer, cutting into soft growth rather than old wood. Trim the sides slightly narrower at the top so light reaches the base. Water through the first two summers, mulch each spring and feed with a slow release fertiliser after the first cut.

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

Enriched Planting Mix is a certified organic blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent, bagged in 30L. It is built to be dug through existing garden soil at planting time rather than used on its own, and the gypsum is what sets it apart from a plain compost.

Gypsum helps break up heavy clay so water and roots can move through it, while the compost and manure return organic matter and nutrient to tired ground. The coarse bark holds structure and keeps air around the root zone, and the wetting agent keeps moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering.

Use it when planting trees, shrubs, roses, fruit trees and exotic garden plants, particularly into clay. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and 7 centimetres deeper, then mix roughly one third planting mix through the excavated soil. Spread 7 centimetres of that improved soil in the base before setting the plant in.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Enriched Planting Mix

What is Enriched Planting Mix made from?

It is a blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent. Each part has a job. The compost and manure supply organic matter and nutrient, the gypsum works on clay structure, the bark keeps air around the roots and the wetting agent holds moisture in the soil.

What plants is it suitable for?

It suits exotic garden plants, including roses, ornamental and deciduous trees, fruit trees, shrubs and perennials, and it earns its keep most on heavy clay sites. It is a planting mix rather than a potting mix, so its job is improving soil at planting time. Phosphorus sensitive natives are the one clear exception.

Is it safe for natives?

No, not for the phosphorus sensitive ones. The composted animal manure in this blend lifts phosphorus well above what Proteaceae such as Banksia, Grevillea, Hakea and Protea will tolerate, and the result can be leaf burn, dieback and plant death. Use the Native Potting Mix for those species, or plant them into unimproved local soil.

Is it certified organic?

Yes. It is a certified organic product with no chemical additives, which is why the manure and compost in it are fully composted rather than raw. That makes it sound around fruit trees and vegetable beds, and it means you are adding genuine organic matter to your soil rather than a synthetic conditioner.

How much do I need?

Work on roughly one third planting mix to two thirds of the soil you dug out of the hole. For a shrub out of a 200 millimetre pot that is only a few litres. An advanced tree going into a large hole will take considerably more. Judge the quantity by the volume of the hole rather than the size of the plant.

Can I use it in pots?

It is not a potting mix and should not be used on its own in a container. The blend is designed to be diluted through garden soil, and used straight in a pot it holds too much water and settles badly. For containers, reach for a premium potting mix, or the native mix if you are potting natives.

Does it need to be watered in?

Yes. Water the plant well several hours before you plant it, then water thoroughly again once the hole is backfilled and the soil firmed down. That first deep watering settles the improved soil around the root ball and drives out air pockets. Keep the water up over the first few months while the roots establish.

View full details

Type: Garden Supplies

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

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Uses in my Garden

Avenue Planting
Shade Tree
Street Tree
Feature Tree
Rural Property Planting

Quercus lusitanica – Lusitanian Oak works in an:

Mediterranean Style Garden – timeless courtyard look with stone, pots, and bold greenery.
Heritage / Traditional Garden – timeless, classic plantings for period homes.
Woodland Garden – layered, naturalistic design under dappled light.
Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.
Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.

Is Quercus lusitanica – Lusitanian Oak Evergreen or Deciduous?

Quercus lusitanica – Lusitanian Oak is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 3m to 5m

Mature Width: 2m to 4m

Quercus lusitanica – Lusitanian Oak is expected to grow 30cm to 50cm per year (moderate) (approx.).

Growth Rate of Quercus lusitanica – Lusitanian Oak

Quercus lusitanica – Lusitanian Oak is expected to grow 30cm to 50cm per year (moderate) (approx.).

They are considered to have a:

Medium Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Quercus lusitanica – Lusitanian Oak

Is Quercus lusitanica – Lusitanian Oak frost tolerant?

Quercus lusitanica – Lusitanian Oak is Frost Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.

Does Quercus lusitanica – Lusitanian Oak Flower?

Quercus lusitanica produces small, inconspicuous catkins in spring. These modest flowers are not ornamental and are quickly followed by small acorns typical of the oak family. This species is grown primarily for its compact, finely textured foliage and dense, rounded habit rather than for its flowering display.

Does Quercus lusitanica – Lusitanian Oak flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring

Flower Type:

Catkin-like

Flower Colour:

Yellow

Is Quercus lusitanica – Lusitanian Oak an Australian Native Tree?

No

Quercus lusitanica – Lusitanian Oak is Native to The western Mediterranean, particularly Portugal, Spain, and Morocco, where it grows naturally in scrublands and open woodlands.

What is the Wildlife Value of Quercus lusitanica – Lusitanian Oak ?

Its dense, shrubby to small-tree canopy provides valuable shelter and foraging habitat for small birds, while the foliage supports a range of beneficial insects. The acorns it produces also serve as a seasonal food source for wildlife, making Quercus lusitanica a useful biodiversity-supporting species in both garden and woodland-style plantings.

How much Sunlight does Quercus lusitanica – Lusitanian Oak need?

Quercus lusitanica – Lusitanian Oak will thrive best in:

Full Sun

Preferred Soil?

Quercus lusitanica performs best in well-drained sandy or loam soils with an acidic to neutral pH. It will also tolerate poorer, lighter soils if enriched with organic matter to improve moisture retention and overall fertility. Avoid heavy clay, compacted or poorly drained conditions unless significantly improved, as excess moisture can restrict root health and reduce growth. Keep the soil evenly moist during establishment, then gradually reduce watering as the tree matures.

Is Quercus lusitanica – Lusitanian Oak Drought Tolerant?

Is Quercus lusitanica – Lusitanian Oak Drought tolerant?

As a young plant it requires regular deep watering to establish properly. Once established, Lusitanian Oak develops good drought tolerance and performs reliably through warm, dry periods when planted in well-drained soil. It maintains strong vigour and foliage density with minimal supplementary watering, even in exposed positions.

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How To Plant Your Quercus lusitanica – Lusitanian Oak

Site: Choose a well-drained position in full sun to part shade with room for the canopy to develop.

Soil preparation: Enrich the planting area with quality compost and aged manure for a strong establishment phase.

Hole: Dig twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth.

Planting: Position level with the surrounding soil, backfill gently, firm in, then water deeply to settle the roots.

Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Quercus lusitanica – Lusitanian Oak

Hedging and screening: 1 to 1.5 metres apart for a dense informal screen, or 80 centimetres apart for a tighter formal hedge.

Feature tree: 3 to 4 metres apart to allow the full canopy and form to develop.

Avenue planting: 3 metres apart for a uniform soft-textured avenue.

Quercus lusitanica – Lusitanian Oak is expected to grow 30cm to 50cm per year (moderate) (approx.).

Medium Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Quercus lusitanica – Lusitanian Oak

Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, this is drought tolerant and only needs a deep soak during extended dry periods.

Mulching: Apply a 5 to 7 centimetre layer of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it 5 centimetres clear of the trunk.

Pruning: Tip prune in late winter and again in summer to build dense growth. For a formal hedge, light shaping two to three times a year keeps lines crisp.

Fertilising: Apply a slow-release general-purpose fertiliser in early spring and again in autumn for steady growth and consistent foliage colour.

Pest and disease: Hardy against most pests and diseases. Occasional inspection in warm humid conditions is all that's needed.

Planting Your Quercus lusitanica – Lusitanian Oak in Different Soil

Quercus lusitanica performs best in free-draining loam or sandy loam with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. Adaptable to a wide range of soils when drainage is sharp.

Sandy soil: Free-draining and ideal. Mulch lightly to moderate surface temperature.

Clay soil: Improve drainage with gypsum and coarse organic compost before planting.

Loam: The preferred soil for steady root development and consistent growth.

pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline preferred. Avoid waterlogging at all times.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is Quercus lusitanica suitable for hedging?A: Yes, it’s one of the best evergreen oaks for dense screening or formal clipped hedges.
Q: How much maintenance does it require?A: Very low—just occasional pruning to maintain shape.
Q: Is this oak drought-tolerant?A: Yes, once established, it has high drought resilience.
Q: Can it be used in smaller gardens?A: Yes, its compact form is suitable for small to medium spaces.