A Large genus of up to 500 species, mostly trees but some growing as shrubs. Two species native too the British isles, robur and petraea, which are valued for their timber. Most Oaks grow well on deep fertile soils, being acid or alkaline, only a couple of species are suitable for shallow Chalk soils.
Quercus acutissima (Sawtooth Oak)
Medium sized tree, with narrow oblong leaves, Bright green, margined with bristle-tipped teeth, chestnut like.
Ultimate height 20m (66ft), Spread 15m (50ft).
Quercus Bicolor (Swamp white Oak)
Medium sized tree with characteristic flaking bark, especially on young specimens. Leaves obovate, 13-18cm long green above, whitish or grey-feltish below.
Ultimate height 19m (63ft), Spread 15m (50ft).
Quercus x bimundorum Crimson spire
A columnar hybrid of English and White Oak. Dark green to bluish green foliage is mildew resistant and has a red autumn colour. This columnar tree grows to a height of about 45 feet and spread of 15-25 feet. Holding it’s leaves well into the winter and drops them when new ones push in the spring.
Ultimate height 14m (45ft), Spread 5m (15ft).
Quercus canariensis (Algerian Oak)
A medium Oak, that lives well on chalk. Fast growing with an oval habit when young, the Algerian Oak matures into a handsome, round-headed tree with dark grey, deeply fissured bark. The large, shallowly lobed leaves have a shiny green upper and a lighter downy underside, and remain on the tree until well into Winter. It will succeed equally well on heavy clay or shallow chalky soil.
Ultimate height 20m (66ft), Spread 15m (50ft).
Quercus castaneifolia Green spire (Chestnut leaved Oaks)
A fast growing tree with columnar, compact habit, resembling Quercus cerris. Leaves dark green, margined with sharply pointed teeth.
Ultimate height 25m (80ft), Spread 8m (25ft).
Quercus coccinea (Scarlet Oak)
A large tree with a broad crown, and dark grey bark. The leaves are bright green, medium sized, with deep serrated lobes. In Autumn this Oak produces a superb display of bright red leaves, changing branch by branch from the top to the bottom of the tree, and not falling until Winter. The acorns of the Scarlet Oak are also of interest as, unusually, they are carried in very shallow cups. A hardy Oak that will require space to thrive, on most soil types.
Ultimate height 20m (66ft), Spread 15m (50ft).
Quercus x heterophylla
A cross between Q. phellos x Q. rubra. Medium to large sized tree, leaves varying from entire to strongly toothed.
Ultimate height 20m (66ft), Spread 20m (66ft).
Quercus Ilex (Holm Oak, Evergreen Oak)
An evergreen member of the Oak family, Quercus Ilex is a slow-growing, but ultimately large, tree; it is often grown as a multi-stemmed shrub. The lance-shaped dark green leaves are deeply and regularly lobed, with a lighter underside. As the tree matures, it develops a beautiful fissured dark grey bark, and cuts a magnificent figure as a specimen tree. It will thrive on most soil types, and is resistant to wind.
Ultimate height 22m (72ft), Spread 15m (50ft).
Quercus imbricaria (Shingle Oak)
Medium sized vigorous tree. Leaves narrow oblong up to 10-18cm long, shining dark green with bristle point with rich Autumn colours
Ultimate height 20m (66ft), Spread 15m (50ft).
Quercus palustris (Pin Oak)
A large deciduous tree with a dense spherical crown, and elegant slender branches which become more pendulous as the tree matures. The bright green leaves are deeply lobed, and turn to a stunning deep red display in Autumn. Drooping Spring catkins are followed by rounded acorns in early Autumn, and are held on the tree for 2 years whilst they mature. Although this tree prefers free draining soils, it will tolerate heavy clay, and once established will also survive moderate drought conditions.
Ultimate height 23m (69ft), Spread 18m (59ft).
Quercus phellos (Willow Oak)
A large deciduous tree with long thin Willow-like foliage that set it apart from the rest of the Oak family. With a dark green upper, and bluish-green underside, the leaves turn a spectacular red and orange in the Autumn. Quercus phellos develops a broad crown at maturity so requires space to grow; it prefers a free draining fertile soil, and will give its best Autumn colour on neutral or slightly acidic soil.
Ultimate height 15m (50ft), Spread 12m (40ft).
Quercus robur (English Oak)
This long-lived and much-loved tree is one of the most common species to be found in the UK, with a spreading crown which casts a dappled shade onto the ground below. Dark-green summer foliage turns shades of bronze and reddish brown in autumn before falling, leaving the majestic, bare structure to grace the landscape. Ultimately a large tree, it requires little from its location apart from the space to grow.
Ultimate height 30m (100ft), Spread 25m (82ft).
Quercus robur ‘Fastigiata’ (Cypress Oak)
The Cypress Oak is a compact, narrow crowned tree, with deeply lobed, glossy green leaves that resemble those of the English Oak. In Autumn this foliage turns a golden brown colour, and will remain on the tree throughout Winter in less exposed situations. Like the English Oak, it will thrive in most soil conditions, and is particularly tolerant of heavy clay. Elegant and statuesque, the Cypress Oak makes a good feature tree, and also works especially well in avenues.
Ultimate height 20m (66ft), Spread 4m (13ft).
Quercus rubra (Red Oak)
A quick-growing deciduous tree which has an open, spreading habit. Its majestic branches bears large green, sharply lobed leaves that turn a stunning red in Autumn. Most well drained soils will suit this tree, although it will not thrive on chalk.
Ultimate height 20m (66ft), Spread 12m (40ft).
Planting Guide
For further details and pricing, please download our .PDF catalogue using the link below:-
Landford Catalogue 2019.pdf (.PDF file, 259 KB)