We cannot speak highly enough of this truly majestic tree.
In Ireland we have two native species of Oak – Quercus petrae and Quercus robur . These species can cross-pollinate to produce what could be classed as a third native hybridised cross, Quercus x rosacea, though in this blog we will focus on our two original species.
An oak sapling showing its long taproot.
Quercus petrae is our national tree, otherwise known as “Sessile Oak”, is often found on well drained slightly acidic rocky soils and Quercus robur “English Oak” or “Pedunculate Oak” is often to be found on slightly wetter and heavier soils.
A stunning Native Oak in all its glory.
Both are biodiversity-supporting heavyweights, providing habitats and food for more native species of plants, animals and fungi than any other of our wonderful native trees.
Oak in Ireland supports more than 284 Invertebrate species, 324 lichens and numerous fungi, various mammal and bird species and many other living organisms.
One of many Fungi which Oak supports. Wrinkled Peach – Rhodotus palmatus.
Also, the mighty oak has an incredibly long lifespan and has been known to live up to 1000 years!
Alas, in Ireland, most of our oldest Oaks are mere teenagers due to our history of forest clearance for agricultural purposes and the requirements of our neighbours in Britain for Oak timber, to build ships for wars and to rebuild London after the great fire.
Notwithstanding that, there are a few “Oldies” such as the “Brian Boru Oak”, reputed to have been planted during his tenure as High King of Ireland. Which would date it to approximately 1,000 years old.
Another is the “Charleville Oak”, believed to be between 400-800 years old.
Given our abysmal level of native forestry, which is considerably less than 2% covering of our national land area. We at Wildacres and many others, are working hard to grow on Oaks to be planted in newly created woodlands, in our case in Wicklow, to increase our native forestry cover.
Locally sourced Oak Acorns in the Wildacres Native Tree Nursery.
With help from the wonderful Rewild Wicklow team and our regular volunteer David, we have created a Native Tree Nursery at Wildacres and each season we are planting around 700 acorns, from local Oak trees.
Germinated Oak seedlings in the Wildacres Native Tree Nursery.
We have capacity to grow at any one time, over 1500 oak seedlings in our 18 raised beds in the nursery and are proud to be lifting our first batch this winter, to donate for local afforestation projects in Wicklow.
Two-year-old Oak saplings, ready for lifting from the Wildacres Native Tree Nursery.
The wealth of wildlife to be found in, around and on Oak trees is astounding.
Creatures such as our native Jay, a colourful member of the Crow family, specialises in collecting acorns in autumn which it then caches away in various spots underground as a winter larder.
It can remember most of the locations it has hidden them, but of course it may leave some unretrieved, or perhaps it itself will be preyed on thereby leaving many acorns to grow into miniature saplings and if not browsed, will mature into majestic life giving, biodiversity-supporting, Oak trees.
Another of many incredible creatures to be found on oak are the wonderful array of tiny gall wasps. They have evolved to lay their many single eggs into the growing tissue of the tree.
Red-currant galls of thevCynips divisa wasp – on the underside of an Oak leaf.
A chemical deposited upon laying the egg causes the tree to form an abnormal growth (the gall) inside of which the egg hatches and the larvae wasp eats away on this surrounding growth. It then chews a small exit hole out of the gall upon having pupated into its adult form.
Spangle Galls of the Gall Wasp – Neuroterus quercusbaccarum – on the underside of an Oak leaf.
When Oak trees reach their veteran or ancient stage, perhaps a few hundred years old, and have lost limbs due to lightning strikes or storms over millenia. The rot wood cavities that form, in the still healthy growing tree, can be wonderful habitats for all manner of creatures.
Silk Button Galls of the Gall Wasp- Neuroterus numismallis – on the underside of an Oak leaf.
From Barn Owls nesting in larger holes to bats roosting in smaller crevices, as well as many invertebrates taking up residence.
Then there is the vast array of lichens and mosses to name but a few of the epiphytes (organisms that live on other organisms but do not negatively affect their host) that colonize older oaks, getting their nutrients from the atmosphere and rainfall and organic matter that accumulates in places of the old tree.
So, our Oaks are a species to be really treasured.
Wouldn’t it be a wonderful legacy to leave a living monument that might last for generations to come.
So why not grow on some acorns from local old oak trees and help our biodiversity and enjoy watching your oak grow for years to come.
A Wonderful Oak that will
- Pump out life giving oxygen.
- Release Phytoncides into the air, boosting our immune systems.
- Continuously Sequester carbon and lock it away.
- Trap polluting particles.
- Improve the surrounding soil structure.
- Slowing down waterflow thus alleviating flooding,
- Clean groundwater.
- Cool and shade the immediate surrounding area.
- Provide a diverse habitat for so much biodiversity.
- Be a focal point and provide a source of inspiration and spirituality.
- Provide amenity value for us all
Oak …… A real national treasure!
Brian in front of a stunning majestic native Oak.
