English Oak

(Quercus Robur)

Interesting Information About Plant:

     English Oak has an anti-inflammatory effect, and also acts as

an astringent, tightening and drying the tissues. The dried bark is

the primary medicinal agent. The oak has been held sacred by

many cultures including the Druids, Greeks, and Romans. The

Round Table of the King Arthur legend was made from a single

disk of oak. English Oak can also be made into a tea. You can

place 1 gram (one-third teaspoonful) of finely cut or coarse,

powdered English Oak in cold water, bring the water to a rapid

boil, then strain. For external use in a rinse, compress, gargle, or

mix 20 grams (about 2 tablespoonfuls) of English Oak with 1

quart of water. To prepare as a bath additive, pour 1 quart of

boiling water over 5 grams (about 12/3 teaspoonfuls) of English

Oak, then add to bath water. For internal use, the usual daily

dosage is 3 grams (about 1 teaspoonful) of finely cut or coarse

powdered English Oak. English Oak is occasionally included

in tea mixtures, and in standardized preparations for digestive

complaints. You may also find commercial bark extracts

available for external use.

(http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/nmdrugprofiles/

herbaldrugs/101020.shtml).

Scientific Name: Quercus Robur

Family Name (Scientific and Common): Fagaceae   (Oak)

Continent of Origin: Europe

Plant Growth Habit: Large Tree

Height at Maturity: More than 10 Feet

Life Span: Perennial

Seasonal Habit: Deciduous Perennial

Growth Habitat: Full Sun

Manner of Culture: Native Species 

Thorns on Younger Stem: No

Cross Section of Younger Stem: Roundish  

Stem (or Trunk) Diameter: More Than The Diameter

of a Coffee-Mug 

Produces Brownish Bark: No

Bark Peeling in Many Areas: Yes 

Characteristics of Mature (Brownish) Bark: Bumpy  /  

Patchy Bark  

Type of Leaf: Flat, Thin Leaf  

Length of Leaf (or Leaflet): Between the Length of a

Credit Card and a Writing-Pen   

Leaf Complexity: Simple

Edge of Leaf: Smooth 

Leaf Arrangement: Alternate 

Leaf has Petiole: Yes 

Patterns of Main-Veins on Leaf (or Leaflet): Pinnate 

Leaf Hairiness: Somewhat Hairy  

Color of Foliage in Summer: Green 

Change in Color of Foliage in October: Changes to

Reddish-Orange/ Dry Brown

Flowering Season: Spring 

Flowers: Single, or Tightly Clustered 

Type of Flower: Like a Pine Cone  

Color of Flower: Brown

Shape of Individual Flower: Bilaterally Symmetrical  

Size of Individual Flower: Smaller than a Quarter  

Sexuality: Male and Female on Same Plant

Size of Fruit: Smaller than a Quarter 

Fruit Fleshiness: Dry

Shape of Fruit: Acorn-like

Color of Fruit at Maturity: Brown or Dry

Fruit Desirable to Birds or Squirrels: Yes 

Common Name(s): English Oak, Truffle Oak,

Pendunculate Oak, Tanner’s Bark

Louisville Plants That Are Most Easily Confused With

This One: White Oak

Unique Morphological Features of Plant: Has an upright

form called “Fastigiata”, which usually comes “true

from seed” and, remains broadly columnar throughout

its life.

Poisonous: None of Plant

Pestiness (weedy, hard to control): No

Page prepared by:

Angela Matta                                                                                    

November 2004