sprawling- trunk slightly bent (less so in the stand)
bark is brownish-gray to dark gray
deep longitudinally cracked bark begins to form even at a young age
bork is roof-like, very strong, the thickest among oaks
bork is rusty to cinnamon brown in the cracks
Buds
buds are arranged in a spiralare
they are 5 - 7 x 3 - 4 mm in size, oval, pointed, sitting
they are surrounded by linear stipules that grow below the base of the bud, measuring 0.5 – 2.5 cm in length
bracts are several, reddish-brown, felted to hairy
Shoots
shoots are relatively thick, slightly square to ribbed, greenish-brown, densely hairy
leaf cushions are prominently raised
Leaves (assimilation organs)
the leaves are simple, pinnately lobed to deeply lobed (the depth of the lobes is very variable)
in their basic shape, they are elongated oval, measuring 5 - 13 x 3 - 6 cm, with lobes that are slightly pointed
the upper side is dark green and glossy
the underside is light green, permanently hairy (at least on the veins)
the leaves themselves are firm and leathery
a petiole is 0.5 – 2.0 cm long.
Flowers
the tree is monoecious, the flowers are of different sexes
it blooms in May, simultaneously with the unfolding of the leaves
the flowers are morphologically similar to those of the summer oak
Fruits – seeds
the fruit is a 2.5 - 4.0 x 1.5 - 2.0 cm large achene (the largest among oaks)
the achene (acorn) is elongated elliptical, brown in color, embedded up to half in a spiny cup
it matures in September - October of the second year!
germination is 50 - 70%.
Extension
southern to southeastern Europe, the northern border of its distribution runs through southern Slovakia
in Slovakia, it mainly occurs in hilly areas, typically up to 630 m above the sea level
the northernmost continuous occurrence of the Carpinus oak in Slovakia is in the Boky National Nature Reserve (south of Zvolen near the village of Budča - Kremnické vrchy) at 500 – 550 m above the sea level.
Ecology
a light-loving and heat-loving tree species that is not demanding on soil
it is often damaged by early (autumn) frosts, which leads to frost cracks on the trunk (frost cracks occur when there is still a lot of water in the sapwood - the outer part of the trunk in autumn)
it is characterized by high stump and trunk sprouting ability
many stands of this oak have developed in this way (through sprouting)
Significance
as a cover and fruit-bearing tree
currently, the wood is not utilized in the wood industry; it is most commonly used in the production of pulp
