Pedunculate / English Oak

About the Tree

Variations of this appear in numerous place names in Ireland, such as Derry, Kildare, Adare, Derreen, etc. 

Oak pollen has been found deep in the layers of Ireland’s 9000-year-old peat bogs suggesting the
oak is an indigenous species. Pagan Irish and Christian monks alike revered these remarkable trees
for their longevity – anything up to 500 years – and sturdiness. From the 17th century onwards, oak
has been planted deliberately across the demesnes and managed woodlands of Ireland, initially to
create timber for shipbuilding. Long-tailed tits, red squirrels and other cheerful creatures frequent
the oak wood derris scattered across Lisnavagh estate. (Turtle Bunbury)

The Latin name ‘robur’ means sturdy.

The English oak attains the greatest height of any of the oak species, and appears to be the most
valuable in respect of the durability of its timber. This was the dominant species of the ancient
broad-leaf forests of northern Europe on heavier and more acid soils, and is native to all Britain and
Ireland. This oak is slower growing than the sessile oak, however it grows straighter and on a more
erect stem.

The leaves have backward pointing lobes near the short stalks, and long stalks on the acorns. (All
of which are the opposite with sessile oak).

Pedunculate Oak is a deciduous tree, with a broad, rounded outline up to 30 m or more tall, with a
bark which becomes deeply fissured with age. It grows on neutral or lime-rich heavy clays and
loams. 

About the Wood

Sessile & Pedunculate oak have virtually indistinguishable timber (in terms of appearance), which is
valued highly.

The wood of Pedunculate Oak is more stiff, and yet more easily split and broken than that of the
sessile oak. Its colour is lighter, and its density is not so great as that of the sessile oak. It also
contains more of the silver grain than the sessile oak, and is thus preferred for ornamental work. It
splits clean which renders it suitable for split-paling, laths, barrel staves and dowels. Due to its
stiffness it is useful for beams. Its resistance to alternations of wetness and dryness make it
suitable for piles. Oak, generally, has a fair suitability for carving.