Pedunculate Oak

Quercus robur

The Pedunculate or English Oak supports more species of wildlife than any other tree in Britain (following the demise of the English Elm). It can reach to 45 metres with a ragged crown but more normally its leading shoot is eaten, forcing out side branches to form a large spreading dome up to 20 metres in height. The twisted furrowed bark is greyish in colour. The leaves grow on very short stalks and have deep lobes, the pair nearest the base point backwards. The seeds are called acorns and form on long stalks in small clusters. They form an important winter food source for jays and squirrels.