Britain’s Most Loved Tree
Britain’s Most Loved Tree
The English Oak some would say is the best known tree on the British Isles, native to the UK it is One of the most commonly found tree especially in the deciduous woods in and around Bradford. But yet not uncommon to found in a garden. A very distinctive large tree that can grow up to around 40 m tall its immense stature has allowed the tree to be somewhat of a British symbol and National emblem.
So What Does The British Oak Look Like?
An easy way to establish if the tree is an Oak is their broad crown at the top of the tree, quite open allowing direct sunlight to the bottom of the tree. The British Oak has a smooth silvery brown bark. Growing rapidly in its youth and slowing about 120 years old.
With its large smooth edge leaves with small stalks and acorns it’s hard not to not to spot an Oak from distance. Oak trees don’t normally drop acorns until the tree is around 40 years old. The Oak trees acorns are a rich food source attracting a verity of wildlife.
History Of The Oak Tree
Oak is a hardwood and these characteristics has allowed it over centuries to be used to make furniture, ship building and such objects such as barrel making.
The wood itself has also been used for its qualities in architecture, from the 19th century to even now. Oak Beams provide support and strength to any home, along with flooring and mouldings.
Threats To The Oak Tree
Even though Oak can be found in huge numbers the tree is under threat from an over growing amount of pests and pathogens. Two of the most found threats to the British Oak is Acute Oak Decline and Chronic Oak Decline.
Advice
If you have a British Oak in your garden and would like some advice on how we can help then please get in touch and we gladly help.