8 N U T S N U T S 9 English - Sessile Oak -

he English oak is a native tree of woodlands, Thedgerows and parkland in many parts of Britain. It he sessile oak is a grows best on deep fertile clays and loams but will toler- Tnative tree of woodlands ate a wide range of soils. Some of the largest and hedgerows in the west of in Britain are thought to be over 1,000 years old. Britain. It prefers areas of high rainfall The oak has always been the most widely and grows best in deep, well-drained clays and loams. Like English oak, some of used hardwood in Britain and its hard, durable Large tree (6: 12: 35) timber has traditionally been used for buildings, the largest trees may be over ships, furniture, panelling and coffins. 1,000 years old. The English oak supports some 500 species Its hard durable tim- Large tree (5:10:35) ber is used for boats, of invertebrates, more than any other species of The leaves have distinct British tree. The purple hairstreak breeds buildings and furni- stalks.The acorns are with- ture. out stalks, hence the name solely on this and other species of ‘sessile’ (unstalked). oak, and small groups of them can This tree sup- often be seen fluttering over the ports large num- treetops in mid-July to late August. bers of The oak is also used by birds and and lichens, and bats as roosting and nesting sites. is widely used as a nesting site by pied flycatch- Seed Guide: Collect the acorns ers. from the tree or as soon as possible after they drop - usually from late Seed Guide: Collect the September onwards. Separate acorns from the tree as acorns from their cups and float soon as possible after they them in a bucket of water; plant the drop - usually from late ones that sink. To avoid your acorns September onwards. drying out - which will kill them - Separate acorns from sow straightaway in a seedbed their cups and float them to a depth of 10cms, or singly, in a bucket of water; plant in pots, covered by a thin layer the ones that sink. To avoid of compost. Protect from preda- your acorns drying out - which will kill them - tors throughout the winter. sow straightaway in a seedbed to a depth of Roots will grow during the 10cms, or singly, in pots, covered by a thin winter and the shoots will layer of compost. Protect from predators emerge in late April. throughout the winter. Roots will emerge dur- ing the winter and the shoots in late April. The leaves are almost stalkless. Easily confused with: Sessile Oak,Turkey Oak and other oak Easily confused with: The acorns have English Oak,Turkey Oak and other oak species. long stalks. species.

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC Year 1 Collect Year 1 Collect Sow Sow Year 2 Grow Plant Year 2 Grow Plant Year 3 Year 3