Sessile oak, Durmast oak
Quercus petraea

Family: Fagaceae

What it is like

A tree with a long trunk. The branches form a fan shape. The tree grows to 40 m high. The bark is finely cracked and ridged. The tree loses its leaves during the winter. The leaves are lobed and wedge shaped near the base. They are 12 cm long and 7.5 cm wide. The leaves have distinct stalks. The male flowers are in long stalks and the female flowers are bud shaped and stalkless. The acorns are in stalkless cups. The acorns are 3 cm long.

There are about 600 Quercus species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It is native to Europe. It grows in less fertile and wetter places. It is damaged by late frosts. It is sensitive to humidity. It suits hardiness zones 5-9. Arboretum Tasmania. Hobart Botanical Gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Balkans, Bosnia, Britain, Europe, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Tasmania

How it is used for food

The acorns are eaten or used as a substitute for coffee. They are also used for flour and added to bread. The leaves are used to make wine.

Edible parts

Nuts, acorns, drink

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. The seed are planted where the tree is to grow.

It is a slow growing tree.

Its other names

Local names

Graden, Hrast kitnjak, Roble, Zalude

Synonyms

Quercus sessilis;