Quercus robur and Quercus petraea

Quercus robur and Quercus petraea in Europe: distribution, habitat, usage and threats
E. Eaton, G. Caudullo, S. Oliveira, D. de Rigo these oaks can mix, compete and naturally hybridise with other
Mediterranean oaks, such as Quercus pubescens and Quercus
Quercus robur L., (pedunculate oak) and Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl., (sessile oak) are common broadleaved tree frainetto, even if at relatively low rates12 . Both oaks occur at
species in Europe, found from Scandinavia to the Iberian Peninsula. The two species are quite similar in appearance and higher elevations in southern regions: Q. robur is recorded to grow
have a broadly overlapping range. Oak trees have cultural significance for people throughout Europe and the trees or up to 1300m in the Alps13, while Q. petraea is more montane
leaves are frequently used in national or regional symbols. Oak trees can live for more than 1000 years and grow to and in southern Turkey can reach over 2000m4, 14, 15 . Due to the
be 30 to 40m in height. The wood from oaks is hard and durable and has been valued for centuries. It is favoured for substantial human interest and usage of the species over many
construction and for wine and spirit barrels; historically it was a major source of ship timbers. Recently, concerns have centuries, there is widespread disturbance in their distribution, and
arisen about the fate of oaks in the face of Acute Oak Decline, a little understood syndrome. the structure of their original forests is highly uncertain16 . Q. robur
Quercus robur L., known as pedunculate or English oak, and has been introduced into the United States for timber production
Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl., known as sessile oak, are large, and in some areas it has naturalised; more recently they have been
rugged, deciduous broadleaved trees, native to most of Europe. Frequency
< 25%
exported into other continents as ornamental trees17, 18 .
Individuals can be very long-lived (over 1000 years in some cases) 25% - 50%

and become large (over 40m tall), attaining diameters of three to

50% - 75%
> 75%
Habitat and Ecology
four metres1-3 . More usually, these oaks achieve a height of 30m Chorology Q. robur and Q. petraea co-occur at many sites as a main
and diameters of up to 1m4 . These two tree species, as well as
Native
component of temperate deciduous mixed forests, and they
other oaks, are very variable morphologically, and can naturally share several common characteristics. These oaks are vigorous
hybridise, generating individuals showing intermediate traits or trees with a large ecological amplitude, although they prefer
the prevalence of one, so that it can be difficult to characterise fertile and moist soils, and are able to dominate forests in
them unequivocally by observations alone5, 6 . The main trunk of number and size at low-mid elevations19 . Both are able to behave
Q. robur tends to disappear in the crown, developing irregular as pioneer trees, the acorns possessing large reserves and
boughs with twisting branches, while Q. petraea usually develops able to survive amongst grasses whilst developing sufficiently
a main stem with boughs gradually deceasing in size7. The barks deep roots to allow rapid shoot growth2, 10 . As these trees do
are grey, fissured, forming rectangular elongate blocks, which not come into leaf until relatively late in the year (late April
are thicker in Q. robur, while those of Q. petraea often tend to to early May), late frost damage is rarely a problem, unless
exfoliate7. The leaves are simple, obovate-oblong and deeply and the temperatures reach -3C killing new foliage2, 10 . Sustained
irregularly lobed, with a short stalk (2-7mm) in Q. robur and a temperatures below -6C in winter can kill acorns, despite the
long stalk (13-25mm) in Q. petraea. These oaks are monoecious epicotyl requiring some chilling to break its dormancy10 . Both
and wind-pollinated, with drooping male flowers in yellow catkins Map 1-A: Plot distribution map (Q. robur). oaks have a good re-sprouting aptitude, so they coppice and
about 5cm long and inconspicuous globular female flowers of Frequency of Quercus robur occurrences within the field observations as pollard easily2, 7. Their deep and penetrating taproots (more
reported by the National Forest Inventories. The chorology of the native
1mm at terminal shots, which appear just after the first leaves spatial range for Q. robur is derived after EUFORGEN45 . developed in Q. petraea) give them structural stability against
have flushed8 . The fruits are the acorns, which are often in pairs windthrow and allow them to withstand moderate droughts by
and sit in scaly cups on the ends of long stalks in Q. robur and accessing deeper water2, 10 . However, in conditions far from their
on short or absent stalks in Q. petraea, giving rise to its common Distribution optimum, they show ecological differences. The tendency is for
name sessile, meaning stalkless. The acorns are very variable Both oaks occur widely across most of Europe, reaching Q. robur to grow on heavier soils in more continental climates, in
in size and shape, but those of Q. robur are usually smaller northwards to southern Norway and Sweden, and southwards to wet lowlands and damp areas by streams and rivers, tolerating
and rounded with olive-green longitudinal stripes visible when the northern part of the Iberian Peninsula, South Italy, the Balkan periodic flooding. The more drought tolerant Q. petraea prefers
fresh7. Mammals and birds are important for the seed dispersal, Peninsula and Turkey. They are sympatric in many parts of their to grow in more Atlantic climates on light and well-drained, often
especially the Eurasian jay (Garrulus glandarius) which can be range. Q. robur has a more extended distribution, reaching more rocky, soils (hence the specific Latin name petraea = of rocky
considered the primary propagator9, 10 . northerly ranges on the Norwegian coast and in northern Scotland; places), generally occurring on slopes and hill tops, and preferring
in Mediterranean areas it is also present in Portugal, Greece and a more acid soil pH2, 7, 10, 15, 20 . They are both light-demanding
South Turkey, and eastwards into continental central Russia, up to trees (Q. robur more so than Q. petraea)2, 10 , and their canopies
the Urals7, 11 . The southerly range limits are difficult to define, as permit a good deal of light to pass through to the undergrowth,
promoting the regeneration of many tree species and enriching

Uncertain, no-data
Marginal/no presence < 5%
Low presence 5% - 10%
Mid-low presence 10% - 30%
Medium presence 30% - 50%
Mid-high presence 50% - 70%
High presence 70% - 90%
Very-high presence > 90%

Stalkless acorns of sessile oak (Quercus petraea).

(Copyright AnRo0002, commons.wikimedia.org: CC0)

Map 2-A: High resolution distribution map estimating the relative probability of presence for Quercus robur. Acorn of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) with long stalk.
(Copyright Graham Calow, www.naturespot.ork.uk: AP)

160 European Atlas of Forest Tree Species | Tree species

 Quercus robur and Quercus petraea

forest diversity19 . These oaks rarely form pure forests under

natural conditions. Their substantial competitor is represented
by beech (Fagus sylvatica) and in a minor way other shade or
half-shade trees, in the presence of which the oaks are unable Uncertain, no-data
to predominate as they are at a disadvantage. Typically, oaks Tundra, cold desert
dominate in damp to wet and nutrient-rich soils, where they
Negligible survivability
occur principally with hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) and other
deciduous tree species such as ash (Fraxinus excelsior, Fraxinus Low survivability
angustifolia), maple (Acer campestre, Acer platanoides) and Mid-low survivability
small-leaved lime (Tilia cordata). In these oak-hornbeam forest
Medium survivability
communities, assigned to the Carpinion betuli alliance, beech is
out of its range, or replaced as the soils are relatively dry and Mid-high survivability
warm or too wet. On warmer dry sites in sub-Mediterranean High survivability
regions, Q. petraea tends to mix with Q. pubescens and with other
drought-tolerant tree species, forming communities belonging to
the order of Quercetalia pubescenti-petraeae. In poor and acid
soils, where beech is unable to regenerate, oaks form mixed
forests belonging to Quercetea robori-petraea communities,
which are relatively small and scattered inside the beech range.
Oaks are also present in many other forest types as secondary
species, principally in beech forests at low elevations, where soils
and climate conditions are still favourable to oaks19, 21, 22 .

Importance and Usage

Since the earliest times, these oaks have held an important
role in human culture in Europe, providing wood for fuel, acorns
for livestock, bark for tanning, and timber for construction. From
the Greeks to the Germans, Slavs and Celts, the oak was a sacred
tree15 and this is why oak is frequently a national or regional
symbol, e.g. it has appeared on German, Croatian and British
coins, and in the coat of arms of Bulgaria. The increasing demand
for oak wood products and the reduction of natural forests have
influenced the development of modern silviculture23 . Due to their
capacity to produce large volumes of valuable timber, oak stands

Map 3: High resolution map estimating the maximum habitat suitability for Quercus robur.

are frequently managed either as high forest or as coppice with mechanical stresses)10, 31, 32 . Furthermore promoting an abundant
standards23-27. Pedunculate and sessile oaks are amongst the and uniform natural regeneration is also crucial10, 15, 20, 33, 34 .
most economically important deciduous forest trees in Europe, In coppices, oaks provide a valuable source of firewood and
providing high quality hardwood for construction and furniture charcoal, and in the past the bark has been much used in the
manufacture2 . Q. petraea wood is largely indistinguishable from tanning of leather10 . Several cultivars have been selected for
that of Q. robur and is particularly appreciated for its straight ornamental purposes, especially from Q. robur, and exported
grain, its durability thanks to its hardness, and its high tannin all over the world. Oaks are particularly appreciated as park or
content, which makes it resistant to insect and fungal attacks28, 29 . roadside trees for their size and shade. Quercus robur Fastigiata
Oaks have traditionally been used in timber-framed buildings, is one of the most common cultivars, large in size and with a
as well as for fencing, gates and mining timber, and in the past columnar cypress-like habit; Quercus petraea Laciniata has
it was the most important wood used in the manufacture of long narrow and deeply incised leaves4 . These tree species also
wooden sailing vessels7. Furniture, floor-boards, panelling, joinery have an important ecological role, as they support many species
and veneer are also important uses of the wood10 . As the wood of insects such as moths, wood-boring beetles and gall-forming
is resistant to liquids, it has been used for barrels for wines and hymenoptera, and the acorns provide a valuable food source for
spirits, where the flavour imparted by the wood is often much many birds and mammals, such as jays, mice, squirrels and pigs10 .
desired13, 30 . The most valuable oak wood has narrow rings and is
produced in high mixed forests on fertile sites with long economic
rotations (about 160 years of age for Q. petraea, about 130
years for Q. robur)2 . Successful oak silviculture requires particular
attention, selecting the proper deciduous tree species mixture,
proportion and density, which strongly influence the wood quality
with regard to tree diameters, ring widths and the presence of
wood knots formed by lateral epicormic shoots. Choice of site
and management is also important to minimise the number of
trees with shake (the development of circular or radial cracks
through the timber, which substantially reduces its value and
Large pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) in Dunkeld Hilton park (Scotland). which is influenced by a number of factors including soil type and
(Forestry Commission, www.forestry.gov.uk: Crown Copyright)

Autoecology diagrams based on harmonised field

Field data in Europe (including absences) Observed presences in Europe observations from forest plots for Quercus robur.
Average temperature of the coldest month (C)

Sum of precipitation of the driest month (mm)

Bud of sessile oak (Quercus petraea) in late winter.

(Copyright Sten Porse, commons.wikimedia.org: CC-BY)
Annual precipitation (mm)

Threats and Diseases

Defoliation of the first flush of leaves is common by
several caterpillars, e.g. Tortrix viridana, Lymantria dispar,
Operophtera brumata2 . A second leaf crop (known as St Johns
or Lammas growth, depending on its timing) is usual. As a result
of particularly heavy infestations, especially when combined
with oak mildew (Erysiphe alphitoides syn. Microsphaera
alphitoides), an oaks productivity can be seriously limited, as
the mildew covers the remaining leaf surfaces, preventing light
Annual average temperature (C) Potential spring-summer solar irradiation (kWh m-2) Seasonal variation of monthly precipitation (dimensionless)

Tree species | European Atlas of Forest Tree Species 161

 Quercus robur and Quercus petraea

oaks, and this has become a more widely recognised problem in

recent years. It is characterised by a decrease in the density of
the crown, the appearance of dark oozing wounds (bleeds) on
the trunk, and in most cases the presence of the jewel beetle
Agrilus biguttatus. This syndrome can kill trees over the course
of a number of years39 . Whilst not yet fully understood, it may
be the consequence of an assemblage of contributing human,
environmental and biotic factors, such as lowering ground water
table or absence of flooding, air and water pollution, non-adapted
silvicultural practices, and climate change (e.g.40-44).

300 year old sessile oak (Quercus petraea) in Rigney (eastern France).
(Copyright Arnaud 25, commons.wikimedia.org: PD)

reaching them7, 10 . In recent years, oak processionary moth squirrels10 . Pedunculate and sessile oaks are vulnerable to
(Thaumetopoea processionea) has spread from its native Lymantria dispar and moderately susceptible to Cryphonectria
habitat in southern Europe further north35 . This caterpillar parasitica37. They both suffer because of root pathogens of the
defoliates oaks and sheds micro hairs that are a serious irritant oomycete genus Phytophthora (P. cinnamomi, P. ramorum, P.
to the human respiratory system, eyes and skin. Knopper gall quercina)37. Phytophthora ramorum has been known to cause
wasps (Andricus quercuscalicis) cause some damage to acorn extensive damage and mortality in North America, known as
crops36 . Young oak trees often have their bark stripped by grey Sudden Oak Death. Although this pathogen has been detected
in Europe, it has not yet had a substantial effect on native
European oaks and it is under observation38 . Acute Oak Decline Bark of a sessile oak (Quercus petraea).
is a new syndrome affecting principally pedunculate and sessile (Copyright Stefano Zerauschek, www.flickr.com: AP)

Uncertain, no-data
Marginal/no presence < 5%
Low presence 5% - 10%
Mid-low presence 10% - 30%
Medium presence 30% - 50%
Mid-high presence 50% - 70%
High presence 70% - 90%
Very-high presence > 90%

Maturing catkins of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) in spring.

(Copyright AnRo0002, commons.wikimedia.org: CC0)

Frequency
< 25%
25% - 50%
50% - 75%
> 75%
Chorology
Native

Map 1-B: Plot distribution map (Quercus petraea).

Frequency of Quercus petraea occurrences within the field observations
as reported by the National Forest Inventories. The chorology of the native
spatial range for Q. petraea is derived after EUFORGEN46 . Map 2-B: High resolution distribution map estimating the relative probability of presence for Quercus petraea.

162 European Atlas of Forest Tree Species | Tree species

 Quercus robur and Quercus petraea

Leaves of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) in autumn.

(Forestry Commission, www.forestry.gov.uk: Crown Copyright)

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This is an extended summary of the chapter. The full version of

this chapter (revised and peer-reviewed) will be published online at
https://w3id.org/mtv/FISE-Comm/v01/e01c6df. The purpose of this
summary is to provide an accessible dissemination of the related
main topics.
This QR code points to the full online version, where the most
updated content may be freely accessed.
Please, cite as:
Eaton, E., Caudullo, G., Oliveira, S., de Rigo, D., 2016. Quercus robur
and Quercus petraea in Europe: distribution, habitat, usage
and threats. In: San-Miguel-Ayanz, J., de Rigo, D., Caudullo, G.,
Annual average temperature (C) Potential spring-summer solar irradiation (kWh m-2) Seasonal variation of monthly precipitation (dimensionless) Houston Durrant, T., Mauri, A. (Eds.), European Atlas of Forest Tree
Species. Publ. Off. EU, Luxembourg, pp. e01c6df+

Tree species | European Atlas of Forest Tree Species 163