How fast does it grow?

It is a slow to moderate grower, especially in its early years.

Can I grow it in a small garden?

It is generally too large for small gardens due to its massive mature size.

Plant guide

English oak.

Quercus robur

Pronounced KWER-kus RO-bur

Also known as Common Oak, English Oak, European Oak, Pedunculate Oak

The English oak is a majestic, long lived tree that serves as a cornerstone for many ecosystems. It is famous for its sturdy wood and deeply lobed, dark green leaves. You will find it makes a grand statement in large landscapes.

Another photo of English oak — Photo by Stanislav Murashkin (CC BY) via gbif

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Deciduous tree
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 120 feet
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 4 to 8
Bloom time: Mid to late spring

Care

Plant this tree in a spot with plenty of space for its wide root system to spread. Keep an eye out for powdery mildew on the leaves during humid spells. Ensure the soil remains moist but well drained while the tree establishes itself.

Watering: Young trees need regular watering to establish their roots, but mature oaks are quite drought tolerant.
Feeding: Apply a balanced, slow release fertilizer in early spring to support healthy growth.
Pruning: Prune during the dormant winter season to remove dead or crossing branches.
Repotting: This tree is generally not suitable for container life long term, but young specimens can be moved up as they grow.
Soil: Deep, fertile, slightly acidic loam
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: -35 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 80%

Safety

People: The leaves and acorns contain tannins which can cause digestive upset if ingested in large quantities.
Children: Acorns are a choking hazard for small children and should be kept out of reach.
Contact allergens: Contact with the bark or leaves may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The windborne pollen is a significant allergen for many people during the spring season.
Edibility: Acorns contain tannins that must be leached thoroughly before they are safe for human consumption.

How to identify it

Deeply lobed, dark green leaves
Acorns on long stalks
Rugged, deeply furrowed grey bark
Broad, spreading crown at maturity

Height: 20 to 40m
Spread: 15 to 30m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: yellow, green, 0.5 to 1cm
Fruit: brown, Autumn

Problems to watch for

Oak processionary moth · Caterpillars that feed on leaves and possess irritating hairs.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed
When to plant: Spring, Autumn

Plant spring bulbs beneath the canopy to take advantage of the light before the leaves fully emerge.

Grows well with

Bluebell · They naturally thrive in the dappled shade provided by the oak canopy.
Hazel · They often grow together in woodland settings as part of a healthy understory.

Similar species

Sessile Oak · It is very similar in appearance but has stalkless acorns.

Science

Family: Fagaceae
Genus: Quercus
Order: Fagales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa.
Conservation: This species is widespread and not currently of conservation concern.

It thrives in deep, fertile soils and forms extensive symbiotic relationships with mycorrhizal fungi.

Value to wildlife: larval host plant, food source for birds and mammals
Pollinators: bees, beetles
Uses: timber production, landscape specimen, wildlife habitat

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 6/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How fast does it grow?: It is a slow to moderate grower, especially in its early years.
Can I grow it in a small garden?: It is generally too large for small gardens due to its massive mature size.

Where the name comes from

The species name robur is Latin for strength or oak, reflecting the tree's sturdy nature.

Good to know

These trees can live for over 1000 years.
The wood has been used for centuries to build ships and furniture.
An individual tree can produce thousands of acorns in a good year.

Keep your english oak growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

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This guide was generated with AI on September 25, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.