Types And Varieties Of Oak: Description Of Black And Toothed, Dwarf And Chestnut-leaved, Pyramidal, Virgin And Other Varieties

2024 Author: Beatrice Philips | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 05:33

Oak is a genus of trees in the Beech family, it has a huge number of different species. The growing zones of oak also differ. In this article, we will take a closer look at the different types and varieties of this solid and stately tree.

Varieties found in Russia

There are many different types of oak in Russia. Each of them has its own distinctive features and external nuances, which can be used to determine the specific species of a particular tree. Let's consider what characteristics differ in different subspecies of oak growing in our country.

Large anthered

A beautiful tree found in the southern regions of the Caucasus. Very often, the large anthered oak is planted in artificially formed park areas. In recent years, work has been actively carried out to renew the population of this species. The considered subspecies of oak has a number of distinctive characteristics, namely:

• short leaves grow on it, the length of which rarely exceeds 18 cm;
• the leaves of the large anthered oak have characteristic obtuse blades;
• it is a light-loving tree species;
• large anthered oak is characterized by slow growth, so it usually takes a long time to grow;
• the tree is not afraid of either frost or arid climatic conditions.

In another way, the large-anthered oak is called the high-mountainous Caucasian oak. The height of this tree rarely exceeds 20 m. Today, decorative plantings in most cases are formed from hybrid large-anthered varieties of this tree.

Chestnut

You can also find chestnut oak in Russia. This is a species that has been recorded in the Red Book. The tree is characterized by the presence of a beautiful wide crown in the form of an elegant tent . In height, it can reach up to 30 m. The leaf blades of the tree are massive, can reach 18 cm in length. They have pointed triangular teeth.

The main distinguishing feature of chestnut oak is its very rapid growth and good frost resistance. The tree in question grows fastest and best in moist soil conditions.

Mongolian

A very beautiful, elegant tree. It attracts attention with its decorative appearance . A healthy Mongolian oak can reach a height of 30 m. The leaves of this tree are characterized by an oblong shape and obovate structure. The lobes of the leaves are not pointed and short. The average length of one leaf is about 20 cm. The color of the leaves varies from dark green in summer to yellow-brown in autumn.

The tree can tolerate side shading very well . This is one of the important factors in the accelerated growth of the handsome oak. Regardless, Mongolian oak feels very comfortable if it has enough light at the top. The optimal growing conditions for the tree in question is partial shade. Mongolian oak is hardy, but too strong spring frosts can harm it. A tree is planted as a tapeworm or an element of an array when decorating an alley.

Ordinary

The most popular type of oak. In another way it is called "English oak" or "summer ". The tree is large in size. It can grow up to 30-40 m in height. It is this type of oak that is capable of forming elegant broad-leaved forests in the south of forest and forest-steppe zones.

The common oak, like the chestnut-leaved one, is included in the Red Book . The tree branches well, has a huge crown and a powerful trunk. This strong and sturdy giant can live for 2000 years, but more often it lives for about 300-400 years. In height, an ordinary oak stops growing only at the moment when it reaches an age of 100 to 200 years.

Petiolate

The common oak, which was described above, also bears this name. On the territory of Russia, this species is found more often than others . In nature, you can find specimens whose height exceeds the mark of 40 m. For example, it can be a giant 55 m. The tree has bright green leaves, curved branches. The crown of the pedunculate oak is characterized by a pyramidal shape. The tree has very strong and deep roots.

There is also a separate subspecies of the pedunculate oak - the Fastigiata oak . It is a very slender deciduous plant with a narrow and columnar crown type. It becomes broader with age.

The subspecies under consideration grows at an average rate. Loves light, but does not tolerate stagnant water.

Toothed

A plant that is often found in the southern regions of Russia, as well as in the PRC and Korea. Also included in the Red Book. It has been under protection since 1978 due to the threat of complete destruction . The green handsome man is characterized by an extremely high decorative effect. It can be found in 14 botanical gardens in Russia.

The toothed species is undersized and reaches a height of 5 to 8 m . The trunk diameter of mature trees usually does not exceed 30 cm. The species under consideration is fast-growing, has ribbed shoots with yellowish pubescence.

European

A species with a large and lush crown. It can reach a height of 24 to 35 m. It has a very strong and powerful trunk, the diameter of which is about 1.5 m. The European specimen is a real forest centenarian, which feels especially comfortable in moist soils. The bark of a tree can be up to 10 cm.

The European subspecies has oblong leaves. They gather in small bunches and are located at the tops of the branches. The wood of this tree is rough, but has a very attractive appearance and natural pattern.

Austrian

A large broad-leaved tree, it can reach a height of 40 m. On average, it lives from 120 to 150 years. The trunk is covered with cracking bark, which has black and brown hues. The shoots of the Austrian handsome man are covered with unusual stellate villi forming a yellow-green pubescence . The leaves grow oblong-oval or obovate.

Mediterranean species

Let's take a closer look at some of the Mediterranean species.

Stone

It is an evergreen giant with a very wide and spreading crown with not too frequent branches. It differs in that it has a barrel of impressive diameter. The bark of the tree is gray with pronounced cracks. The leaves of a stone oak are modest and naturally small in size - they rarely grow more than 8 cm . They are characterized by a yellow or white backing.

Red

A very beautiful type of oak with a bright and eye-catching color. This gorgeous tree can reach a height of 30 m in height, but there are also taller specimens that have grown to 50 meters or more. Red oak can be a luxurious decoration for a cityscape, which is why it is often grown artificially in various parts of the earth . The foliage of red oak has a rich brown or pleasant raspberry hue.

As for the rest of the parameters and characteristics of this tree, they are in many ways similar to the pedunculate oak.

Hartvis

In another way, this oak is called Armenian. It has obovate leaves. The main fruits of this tree, acorns, form and develop on elongated stalks. Hartvis Oak prefers to grow in moderate shade, and the moisture level for the tree is also moderate . Warm temperatures and fertile soil are optimal. In winter, the species under consideration does not survive well, therefore it rarely grows in cold regions.

Georgian

It is also called Iberian oak. It has a very dense crown and leaves of an elongated structure. The lobe of leaves is wide and obtuse at the apex. The flowers of this tree are completely inconspicuous and almost do not attract attention. Ripening of acorns occurs in September. The tree is winter-hardy, but being young, it may freeze slightly . Not afraid of drought, not subject to common diseases. Georgian oak is also of little interest to pests.

Species growing in America

Now let's consider what varieties of oak grow in America.

Large-fruited

A beautiful tree, decorative due to the tent-shaped crown. It has a very powerful and sturdy barrel. Large-fruited oak is characterized by a shiny dark green foliage. This tree can reach a height of 30 m in height. On the trunk you can see light brown bark, which is covered with cracks . This species loves light, but partial lateral shading does not harm it either.

White

A tree that grows up to 20-25 m. Loves fertile and sufficiently moist soil. White oak is not afraid of frost. It is considered a long-lived tree. There are specimens more than 600 years old.

White wood is not too tough, but durable.

Swamp

The average height parameter of a swamp oak is 25 m. The tree has a beautiful pyramidal crown. The considered oak is holly, it grows best and most rapidly in conditions of nutritious and well-moistened soils. Can easily survive not very strong frosts . Only very young shoots can freeze slightly.

Willow

A slender and very graceful tree is highly decorative. Has a wide crown of a rounded structure. It reaches a height of 20 m. The leaves of the willow oak are in many ways similar to the leaves of a willow. Young leaves have a characteristic pubescence in the lower part . This tree grows on any soil, but it needs sufficient lighting.

Dwarf

It is a small tree or deciduous shrub. It grows in the eastern United States. Has a smooth dark brown bark. It reaches a height of 5-7 m. A beautiful rounded crown, distinguished by its impressive density, is characteristic. The leaves of a bonsai usually grow up to 5-12 cm in length.

Virginia

An equally attractive tree, the average height of which is 20 m. The virgin oak remains green throughout the year. The tree is characterized by the presence of a very dense and durable wood. Most of all, the virgin oak is common in the southern territories of the United States.

Far Eastern

Solid wood with high hardness wood. It has a beautiful tent-shaped crown that attracts a lot of attention. The leaves of this tree grow large, with small denticles at the edges. In autumn, the foliage of the Far Eastern tree acquires a bright orange color, due to which the oak looks even more spectacular and vibrant.

Oaks in Japan

Oaks are also widespread in Japan. The trees here can be very different from the curly or willow beauties that grow in Russia and the United States. Let's get acquainted with some of the most popular and common types of oak growing in Japan.

Volatile

This tree grows not only in Japan, but also in China and Korea. The changeable oak is deciduous, with a characteristic transparent crown. The standard height of the tree in question reaches 25-30 m. The bark of this oak is very dense, with long and winding longitudinal grooves . The shape of the leaves is pointed. The flowers of a variable species are grouped into charming earrings that form and become visible only in the middle of the spring season. They are pollinated by the wind.

Also, the changeable oak gives other fruits - acorns . They have a spherical structure and a diameter of 1, 5 to 2 cm. Acorns ripen only 18 months after the moment of pollination. The tree in question is grown on a modest scale, especially in China.

This oak attracts with its high decorativeness and the possibility of its use in production processes.

Japanese

A chic looking tree with moderate tenacity and an attractive tan color. This stately handsome man grows not only in Japan, but also in the Philippines . The color of Japanese oak wood largely depends on the specific place where the tree grew. Thus, the trees growing on the island of Honshu have an interesting pinkish tint.

Today, Japanese oak attracts people not only with its high decorativeness, but also with the quality of its wood . It is widely used in furniture, cabinetry and joinery production. Often it turns out to be a good solution when it comes to paneling different substrates.