- Some of the best-known oak species in Germany
- pedunculate oak
- sessile oak
- downy oak
- swamp oak and thorn oak
- Red oak, holm oak and cork oak
- tips and tricks
When talking about oak trees, most people mean English oaks or sessile oaks. They grow most frequently in Germany. But less well-known species are also represented in forests, parks and hobby gardens.
Some of the best-known oak species in Germany
- pedunculate oak
- sessile oak
- downy oak
- Swamp oak or Spree oak
- toast oak
pedunculate oak
The pedunculate oak is also known as the summer oak. It is most common in German forests. Of all oak species, it reaches the greatest height and also the greatest age.
This oak tree tolerates continental climate very well and therefore also grows in the Mediterranean region, in Scandinavia and northern Russia. Pedunculate oaks can even be planted at an altitude of 1,000 metres.
sessile oak
The sessile oak is a winter oak. After the pedunculate oak, it is the second most common oak species in Central Europe. Because of its long taproot, it is extremely storm-resistant.
In botany, the sessile oak is considered a subspecies of the pedunculate oak, which differs primarily in its choice of location. It does not occur at high altitudes.
downy oak
The downy oak prefers a milder climate and therefore mainly grows where it is warm and dry.
It owes its name to its young twigs, which have a light downy feel. At 25 metres, the downy oak is smaller than the other members of its genus.
swamp oak and thorn oak
Swamp oaks originally come from North America, but are often planted in Germany.
The tree oak was probably brought to Germany by the Romans. It prefers a warmer climate and is therefore mainly found in southern Germany.
Red oak, holm oak and cork oak
Three well-known oak species are the red oak found in North America and the holm oak and cork oak from the Mediterranean region.
The red oak is also popular in German parks because of its red foliage.
The cork oak is cultivated in the Mediterranean countries to obtain cork.
tips and tricks
When a “Tree of the Year” was chosen for the first time in 1989, the choice fell on the pedunculate oak. It is also known as the "German Oak". The robustness of this oak tree is shown by the fact that it continues to grow even after being struck by lightning or split by a storm.