Everyone recognizes an oak - do you think? However, it is not that simple. The leaves in particular look very different depending on the species. How to identify the most common oak species in Germany.

Characteristics for identifying oak trees

  • growth
  • tribe
  • bark
  • leaf shape
  • fruit (acorn)

the growth

Most oak species have a very gnarled growth habit. The branches grow at different heights and are often bent or appear to be kinked.

The strain

The trunk grows to a considerable extent over the years. In some species it is straight with a high crown base. Other oak species form a trunk with bulges.

the bark

It is one of the most meaningful identifying characteristics of the oak. When young, the bark is smooth and light in color. Over time, the color changes to a brown-grey tone. The bark tears open and forms patterns on the surface.

The leaf shape

The typical oak leaf is elongated with several indentations. It can be green, as in the pedunculate and sessile oak, or red, as in the red oak.

Unlike other deciduous trees, oaks do not lose all their leaves in autumn. The dried leaves often remain hanging until spring and are only gradually thrown off. Many of the dry leaves do not fall until new foliage forms.

The acorn

The fruit of the oak is a nut, the acorn. It is elongated and brown or reddish in color when ripe. The cap that covers the glans at one end is very typical. Ripe fruits will detach themselves from the cap.

Difference between pedunculate oak and sessile oak

Trunk and growth form are very similar. You can recognize a sessile oak by the large number of fruits with short stalks on one branch.

The leaves of the sessile oak have a stalk two to three centimeters long. The leaf shape is more pointed and the indentations are less pronounced than in the English oak.

Sessile oaks do not grow quite as large as pedunculate oaks.

tips and tricks

Oak trees belong to the beech family. The botanical name is Quercus. The two most common species in Germany are the pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) and sessile oak (Quercus petraea).

Category:

Trees