sawdust secrets header image

The oak tree latin quercus

Details: Read Time: 15 mins; Last Updated: 17 January 2025; Hits: 2952

Photo © by depositphotos.com | Oleksandrum79

A majestic tree with a long history

Oaks (lat. Quercus) are deciduous or evergreen broadleaf trees from the beech family (Fagaceae). They are among the most important native tree species and provide a home for countless people and animals.

Oak species in Europe

There are over 450 different oak species worldwide, differing in size, leaf shape, bark, and location. In Europe, the English oak (Quercus robur) and the sessile oak (Quercus petraea) are the most widespread. (1)

Photo: Left sessile oak (Quercus petraea) | Right English oak (Quercus robur)

The English oak has long stalks on the acorns and sessile leaves, while the sessile oak has short or no stalks on the acorns and stalked leaves. Another well-known species is the red oak (Quercus rubra) from North America, which differs from European oaks by its larger, pointed leaves.

How do I recognize an oak tree?

Oaks are easily recognizable by their characteristic fruits, the acorns. These serve for reproduction and are an important food source for many animals. The lobed leaves with their many curves are another distinguishing feature.

Oaks usually have a wide-spreading canopy with many branched branches and a rough, distinctive bark. A special feature is that they do not shed damaged or dead branches (deadwood), which gives older oaks a mystical appearance.

The Oak and Humans

For many millennia, humans have been accompanied by the oak tree. Farmers used oaks in Hute forests for livestock farming. This goes back to the Middle Ages. Pigs ate the nutritious acorns and were thus fattened. Oaks also offered protection from rain and wind.

"The law" was spoken under the oak tree. The word Druid comes from the Celtic "dru" for oak. They were the priests of the Celts who were called that. Even today, oaks are used to make medicines, and you can even get coffee from acorns.

Growth and Age of the Oak

Oaks usually reach a height of up to 35 meters. Their wood grows very slowly and the annual rings can be difficult to count on barren soils. Oaks are among the longest-living native tree species and can live up to 800 years, some specimens even over 1000 years.

Where do oaks of particular quality grow?

Location:

Soil: Oaks prefer deep, nutrient-rich, and well-drained soils. They find particularly good growing conditions on calcareous, loamy, or sandy soils.
Light: Oaks are light-demanding trees and need sufficient sunlight for optimal growth. They therefore thrive best in open locations or in light forests.
Climate: Oaks are relatively adaptable to different climate zones, but prefer moderate temperatures and adequate rainfall.

Forest Management:

Selection: By targeted selection of trees with good genetic characteristics (e.g., straight trunk, branch-free bole length, high wood quality), the quality of oak wood can be improved.
Care: Regular care measures such as thinning and crown care promote the growth of healthy and high-quality oaks.
Sustainability: Sustainable forest management aimed at the long-term preservation of oak stands is crucial for the production of high-quality oak wood.

Special locations:

Hute forests: Historical form of forest use in which oaks were grazed with livestock in light forests. This led to a special growth form with wide-spreading crowns and branch-free trunks.
Oaks in parks and avenues: Solitary oaks in parks and avenues can achieve a particularly high quality due to their exposed location and targeted care.

Regions:

In Germany, oak forests are mainly found in the warmer regions such as the Spessart, the Rhine Valley, the Palatinate, and the Palatinate Forest. Some of the oldest and most impressive oak stands can also be found here.

Oak wood: A valuable raw material with diverse applications

The wood of the oak

Oak wood is as durable as the tree itself and is therefore highly valued for its exceptional properties. It is heavy, stable, durable, colorfast, and of natural beauty. Due to its high resistance class (D30) and the high tannin content, which forms a protective patina, it is ideal for outdoor use.

Oak trunk structure Photo © by Hugo Kämpf

Oak trunk structure

An oak trunk consists of different layers from the outside to the inside: bark, bast, cambium, and wood. The bark protects the tree like armor, while the bast and cambium form the living part and transport nutrients. The bast lignifies over time and becomes bark.

Oak table top with visible sapwood ring | Photo © by Hugo Kämpf

Sapwood

In special cases, such as drought, the sapwood cannot lignify, but the tree survives and forms normal heartwood again. This later shows up in the boardware as light stripes in the wood pattern.

Red discoloration (copper oak)

Sometimes a sawn oak trunk shows red flames from the base of the trunk to the top of the trunk. This red discoloration, also called copper oak, is the beginning of rotting by a fungus from the taproot. The wood is inferior in this case. This rarely occurs when an oak grows anew from a rootstock and can be avoided by good forest management. (2)

Oak flooring | Photo © by Hugo Kämpf

What is oak wood used for?

Oak wood is used for numerous purposes due to its diverse positive properties:

Furniture construction: Solid wood furniture, veneers
Shipbuilding: Traditionally for ships and boats
Flooring: Parquet, floorboards, stairs
Facade construction: Cladding, windows, doors
Construction: Timber framing, bridges, roof trusses
Organ building: Soundboards, pipes
Barrels: For wine, whiskey, and other spirits
Outdoors: Fences, terraces, garden furniture
Firewood: High calorific value
Wood chips: Energy generation

Oak wood is a versatile and valuable raw material that is appreciated in many areas due to its longevity, beauty, and resilience.

Important for the climate | Photo © by Hugo Kämpf

How important is the oak in our latitudes for our climate?

The oak is not only a valuable supplier of raw materials, but also a cornerstone of the ecosystem and plays a crucial role for our climate.

CO2 storage: Oaks are true carbon sinks. Through photosynthesis, they absorb CO2 from the atmosphere, convert it into oxygen and carbon, and store the latter in their wood mass. One hectare of oak forest can bind up to 18 tons of CO2 annually, which makes an important contribution to reducing the greenhouse effect and combating climate change.

Biodiversity: Oak forests are among the most species-rich habitats in our latitudes. They provide a home for countless insects, animals, fungi, and plants. Birds nest in the branches, bats find shelter in tree hollows, and insects such as the stag beetle depend on old oaks. This biodiversity is not only important for the ecological balance, but also for the stability of the entire ecosystem.

Adaptability to climate change: Although climate change also poses a challenge for oaks, native oak species such as the English oak are comparatively well adapted. They can cope with longer dry periods and extreme temperatures better than, for example, spruces. Oaks are therefore considered to be future-proof tree species that can play an important role in our forests even under changed climatic conditions.

Erosion protection and water balance: With their extensive root system, oaks contribute to soil stabilization and thus protect against erosion. In addition, they have a positive effect on the water balance by storing rainwater and releasing it slowly to the soil.

Air quality: Like all trees, oaks contribute to improving air quality by filtering pollutants and producing oxygen. A walk in the oak forest is therefore not only relaxing, but also good for your health.

The oak is an indispensable part of our native nature and makes an important contribution to climate protection, biodiversity, and the preservation of healthy ecosystems. (3)

Refined oak species

Tabletop made of bog oak | Photo © by Hugo Kämpf

Bog Oak

In addition to the common oak species, there are also some special representatives that stand out due to their unique properties. Bog oak is created when an oak forest sinks into the bog and the wood is preserved underwater for centuries or millennia. (You can find out more about bog oak here)

Hugo Kämpf plants truffle oak | Photo © by Hugo Kämpf

Truffle Oak

Another special oak species is the truffle oak! The English oak Quercus Robur is suitable for the cultivation of a truffle plantation.

Truffles (Burgundy truffle, Tuber aestivum var. uncinatum) grow on alkaline, calcareous soils, such as those found in the Lower Franconian region, among others. The mycelium lives in symbiosis with a few tree species, including the oak. The fruiting body, which we highly value, is the truffle; the actual mycelium is an underground network of cells. Removing a mature truffle from the ground does not affect reproduction and the mycelium. The value of a Burgundy truffle is about 400-1300 €/kilo.

Here one can speak of refinement. The wood multiplies its value.

How healthy is the oak today?

The oak is relatively resistant to the challenges of climate change compared to other tree species. As a taproot, it can survive even longer periods of drought and copes well with high summer temperatures and extreme winter cold.

Oak borer | Photo © by Hugo Kämpf

Nevertheless, there are some factors that can affect the health of oaks:

Pests: The oak processionary moth, whose stinging hairs can trigger allergic reactions, as well as the oak borer, the gypsy moth, whose caterpillars defoliate oak leaves, are examples of pests that threaten oaks. (4)

Fungal diseases: Fungal infections, such as oak decline, in which roots and trunk are attacked by fungi, can cause considerable damage.

Extreme weather events: Air pollution and acid rain impair the vitality of oaks and make them more susceptible to diseases and pests.

Despite these challenges, the oak is considered one of the most resilient tree species in our forests. Through targeted forest management, research, and monitoring, measures can be taken to maintain the health of oaks and secure them for future generations.

Forestry plays a crucial role in this by promoting resistant oak stands through targeted planting, care, and selection. The development of new control methods against pests and diseases is also an important contribution to the preservation of oaks.

Famous Oak Trees

Throughout history, the oak tree has fascinated and inspired people. Some of these impressive trees have achieved fame due to their age, size, or special history.

Germany:

Ivenack Oaks: The oaks (English oaks) in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania are among the oldest and mightiest trees in Germany. Five of these oaks are particularly old and mighty, with the "Great Oak" standing out. With a height of 32 meters and a wood volume of 140 solid cubic meters, it is the largest and mightiest still living oak in Europe, the largest living being in Germany, and the largest living English oak in the world. Its trunk diameter at breast height is 3.32 meters without bark and its circumference at breast height is 11.70 meters with bark. (Wikipedia)
Femeiche near Erle: This English oak (Quercus robur) in Erle (North Rhine-Westphalia) is one of the oldest oaks in Germany with an estimated age between 600 and 850 years and is known as the oldest court tree in Central Europe. Until the 16th century, Feme courts were held under it. The tree is protected as a natural monument, although it is marked by lightning strikes, storms, and age. Its hollow trunk consists only of sapwood and encloses a cavity of almost three meters in diameter. (Wikipedia)
Dicke Eiche (Eisenach): The English oak in Berteroda near Eisenach (Thuringia) is considered a landmark of the village and has been protected as a natural monument since the 1930s. The imposing tree is 16 meters high and is estimated to be about 1000 years old. In 2013, the circumference of the trunk at breast height was 10.06 meters. (Wikipedia)
King Ludwig Oak: The oak (English oak) in the spa town of Bad Brückenau (Bavaria) is about 350-700 years old and has a trunk circumference of a good 7 meters. It was named after King Ludwig I, who considered it his favorite oak during his numerous spa stays in Bad Brückenau. (Wikipedia)

International:

Major Oak: This oak in Sherwood Forest (England) is closely associated with the legend of Robin Hood and is said to be about 800-1000 years old. (Wikipedia)
Angel Oak: The oak (Virginia oak / Quercus virginiana) on Johns Island (South Carolina, USA) is known for its impressive size and wide-spreading canopy. It is estimated to be 400-500 years old. (Wikipedia)
Emancipation Oak: The oak (Southern Live Oak / Quercus virginiana) on the campus of Hampton University (Virginia, USA) is a symbol of education and freedom. The Emancipation Proclamation, which ended slavery in the USA, was read under its shade in 1863. (Wikipedia)

These examples show that oaks are not only impressive natural monuments but can also have important cultural and historical significance. They remind us of past times, legends, and important events in history.

Meaning and Symbolism of the Oak

The oak has a deeply rooted symbolic meaning in many cultures. It stands for strength, stability, and longevity. In Germanic mythology, the oak was dedicated to the thunder god Thor, and in Greek mythology, it was also revered as a sacred tree. Even today, there are numerous proverbs and sayings that use the oak as a symbol of stability and steadfastness. The oak is not only an important part of our forests but also a symbol of the connection between man and nature.

In summary, it can be said that the oak is a true all-rounder. From its role as an ecosystem service provider to its importance for climate protection to its symbolic power - the oak is and will remain an indispensable part of our natural and cultural landscape.

"Happy is the man who loves trees, especially the large, free ones that grow wild in the place where the infinite power has planted them, and which have remained independent of the care of men." Prentice Mulford (1834 - 1891)