The importance of our oak trees. 600 different species, of Quercus. Sessile (stalkless) and Robur Penduntulate. Also popular Holm Oak, Turkey Oak, Red Oak. 2.3 million in UK. UK has Europe largest amount of ancient oaks. Important – supporting centuries old habitat ecosystems. Also valuable for social and cultural. Churches, ship building,
Symbols of strenth and durability. Iconic in our landscape.
Economically contributing 0.7 billion estimated value.
- Climate regulation,
- air and water quality
- Recreation wellbeing
- Timber and woodland products
- Landscape
Over 2,300 species that are dependent on our oak trees. Over 300 only on oak.
Threats to oak
Affected by a wide range of presures.
- Climate change already affecting how oaks respond. Much milder winters, earlier springs, timing of the flowering of the tree. Flushing their leaves 2 weeks before. If hard frost, then has to repeat, which sses up energy. Increase in extreme weather. Has resiliance has decreased, Acute Oak Decline, droubt predisposes oak to the decline. 3-6 years death.
- Several oak declines. Mix of Bacteria, native agrillus beetle. Much faster acting than Chronic Oak Decline. Oak processionary moth.
- How can oaks be more resliant. Future proofing.
473 accepted species. Hot spot Mexico, with 160 species. Robur is latin for hard strenth and power. Descendents of trees after last ice age. Oaks spread up from south of England. Recollonised from the iberian peninsular. East Anglia however different origin traced back to Italian ancestry.
Pend dominates south on clay, prefers wetter sites.
Sesile in more northern, drough tollerant.
Many parklands contain disproportionate amount of oaks, wood pasture.
Connectivity encourages resiliance.
Kaliwood 