Quercus robur (kware’-kus roe-bur)
Family: Fagaceae, Beech

Key Steps

• 1b – Alternate leaf arrangement — go to 18
  • 18a – Leaf simple — go to 19
    • 19b – Thornless — go to 22
      • 22d – All leaves lobed — go to 23
        • 23a – Pinnate venation — go to 24
          • 24a – Leaves clustered toward stem tip. Pith is 5-angled or star-shaped — go to 25
            • 25b – Tips of lobes are rounded or blunt; no bristles at tips of lobes — go to 27
              • 27a – Leaf base has “tiny earlobes”. Blue-green beneath — English Oak

Description

Leaf: Lobes rounded, some leaves having tiny lobes on each side of the base of leaf, resembling earlobes. Glossy, dark green above; blue-green beneath.

Bud: Bud scales are fringed with hairs. Plump, reddish-brown, angled.

Leaf Scar: Raised, half-round.

Stem: Shiny, reddish-brown, zig-zaggy.

Bark: Gray-black, deep vertical furrows.

Fruit: Acorn, 1 inch long narrow. Cup covers 1/3 of the acorn.

Habit: Broad, thick, spreading branches. 50 feet tall and wide. Dense canopy.

Culture: Full sun. Moderate soil moisture. Prefers well-drained soils. pH adaptable, but under 8.0 is preferred. Prone to iron chlorosis.

Resources

• Identifying Broadleaf Flowering Trees and Shrubs, CMG GardenNotes #173
• List of trees in this key
• Glossary of Terms
• Front Range Tree Recommendation List
• Online CSU Extension publications on Tree and Shrub Selection