Species: Quercus cerris L.

(Quercus cerris L.)
-> Genus: Quercus -> Family: Fagaceae -> Group: Angiosperms

Habitus

  • tree height is 20 – 30 m, crown irregular
  • 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
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