Quercus robur (English Oak)

Quercus robur (English Oak) looks excellent as a majestic, long-lived shade tree with a broad, open crown that creates a timeless and elegant focal point in large parks, heritage gardens, and avenues. Its slow to moderate growth delivers a strong structural form that matures into a wide, symmetrical canopy offering generous shade and lasting presence.

With dark green to bluish-green lobed leaves that turn yellow-brown in autumn, this tree adds seasonal texture—enhanced by the retention of dead leaves through winter. The deeply furrowed dark grey bark adds visual interest year-round. English Oak’s acorns, borne singly or in small clusters on long stalks, support local wildlife and enrich garden biodiversity.

Performing best in full sun and fertile, well-drained soils, it tolerates wind, clay, and moderate drought once established. It looks excellent when planted with shade-tolerant understorey species or groundcovers that thrive in its dappled shade, creating layered, multi-season garden compositions. Low maintenance and deep watering during establishment make Quercus robur a practical, classic choice for enduring landscape impact.

Please note, as living products, our trees naturally vary in size and appearance throughout the seasons. The photos on our website are provided as a helpful guide, but may not always reflect our current batches. We always aim to deliver stock as pictured, but some variation is to be expected. For up-to-date sizing, please refer to our current height guide. If you’d like to see photos of our current stock, just let us know—we’re happy to send them!