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TURKEY OAK Quercus cerris
The Turkey
oak was introduced into parks in the UK in early eighteenth century
particularly in Southern Britain and is therefore a recent newcomer
compared to the English or Pedunculate oak which has been present
for over 5,000 years. It is regarded by some as a weed or pest species as
it is fast growing and will hybridise with the English oak. In many Nature
Reserves and woodlands it is removed. It is a graceful tree and can be
recognised in the winter by the long twisting whiskers surrounding the
buds on its twigs. The acorns, which are surrounded by a mossy cup, take
two years to mature compared to the English oak which ripen in one season.
There are several mature trees in the Country Park and in the woodland
area, and also some smaller scrub. The leaves feel rough to the touch and
the lobes are pointed. There is a small stalk.
There are
two Holm oaks Quercus ilex near the second car park in the Country
Park and a magnificent tree in the Hainault Lodge Local Nature Reserve. It
is an evergreen oak. There is only one example of the Red Oak Q. rubra
so named from its leaves which turn red in the autumn and this tree is
in the woodland bordering the northern end of the Heathland area. |
