22. Oak (English)

Oak (English)

Scientific name: Quercus robur

Origin: Native to the UK

Key identifying traits: Has smooth and silvery brown bark becomes rugged and deeply fissured with age. Leaves have the distinct lobed shape, usually growing to around 10cm long. It only pro-duces acorns after the tree is 40 years old.

In the wood: May be found in broadleaf woodland within the canopy layer. A large tree growing up to 40m tall.

Oaks provide a habitat rich in biodiversity; they support more life forms than any other native trees. They host hundreds of species of insect, sup-plying many British birds with an important food source. In autumn mammals such as badgers and deer take advantage of the falling acorns.