Sessile oak

Sessile Oak

©Peter Cairns/2020VISION

Sessile Oak

©Phil Champion

Sessile oak

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Scientific name: Quercus petraea
The Sessile oak is so-called because its acorns are not held on stalks like those of the familiar English oak. It can be found in woodlands mainly in the north and west of the UK.

Top facts

Stats

Height: 20-40m

Conservation status

Common.

When to see

January to December

About

The Sessile oak is a tall tree that can mainly be found in semi-natural woodlands, especially in the north and west of the UK. It is so-named because its acorns are not held on stalks like those of the English (Pedunculate) oak, but are attached directly to the outer twigs. It can form quite dense, single-species woodlands when left to grow, but is not as ubiquitous as the English Oak in the rest of the countryside. Sessile oak timber is not as popular as that of English Oak, but is used for barrel- and cask-making, and gives wine and spirits a particular flavour.

What to look for

Oaks are our most familiar trees, easily recognised by their lobed leaf shape and tell-tale acorns. The Sessile oak is narrower than the English oak, and lacks the stalks on its acorns.

Where to find

Mainly found in the north and west of the UK, particularly in the uplands.

Did you know?

The greyish bark of the Sessile oak was used in the tanning industry which produced leather.