OAK: PEDUNCULATE AND SESSILE 359 



OAK. 



Quercus pedunculata = The Pedunculate Oak. 



Quercus sessiliflora = The Sessile Oak. 



Quercus cerris =Tlie Turkey Oak. 



Quercus rubra =The Red Oak. 



Quercus ilex =The Evergreen or Holm Oak. 



Of these varieties the Pedunculate and Sessile Oak are 



of the greatest sylvicultural importance in this country. 

 They are both native trees. 



As to Seed. Seed is produced freely from about the 6oth 

 year onwards, and good seed years occur about every 3 to 6 

 years. The seed ripens in October. It is of the greatest 

 importance that only the best seed should ever be used. Seed 

 should be collected from strong, vigorous trees, and also from 

 such as show a predisposition in youth to form a long leading 

 shoot, and to grow a clean stem free from side branches. 1 

 Such trees should be specially marked as " seed " trees. 



The germinative capacity of the seed is about 60 to 65 

 per cent. ; and I Ib. of acorns of the pedunculate variety 

 contains about 1 30 acorns, whereas I Ib. of the sessile variety 

 contains about 155 acorns. 



The timber is very strong and durable, and most valuable. 

 The timber of both species has the same market value ; though 

 the pedunculate is rather the better. 



Soil and Situation. Both these Oak prefer a deep, moist, 

 stiffish loam for their best development. However, they will 

 both grow on stiff clays. The pedunculate Oak will grow on 

 very stiff wet clay soils if not sour ; but, on such land, the 

 growth is very slow indeed. 



The sessile Oak is not suited to very stiff clays ; but it 

 will thrive well, and is found naturally on rather dry soils, 

 provided they be fairly deep, such soils being far too dry for 



1 The absence of side branches is not always entirely dependent upon 

 the adoption of correct sylvicultural methods ; for, occasionally, trees 

 growing in the open show a pronounced tendency to grow with a clean 

 stem free from side branches. 



