English Oak
A massive, long-lived (centuries-old specimens are common in Europe) deciduous shade tree that will eventually reach 20-30m tall with an equally wide spreading canopy - this is a tree for a large property or park-like section, not an ordinary suburban section. Tolerates a wide range of soil pH and, once established, moderate drought, needing only occasional watering through extended dry spells. Oak powdery mildew is a known but generally cosmetic issue on New Zealand-grown trees.
- Sun
- full sun
- Water
- low
- Spacing
- 1500cm
- Difficulty
- beginner
- Grows in
- Whangārei / Northland, Auckland, Hamilton / Waikato, Tauranga / Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Napier / Hawke's Bay, New Plymouth / Taranaki, Palmerston North / Manawatū-Whanganui, Wellington, Nelson, Tasman, Blenheim / Marlborough, West Coast, Christchurch / Canterbury, Dunedin / Otago, Invercargill / Southland
- Mature height
- 25m
- Evergreen
- No, deciduous
- Common diseases
- Oak powdery mildew
When to plant by region
In Whangārei / Northland, Auckland, Hamilton / Waikato, Tauranga / Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Napier / Hawke's Bay, New Plymouth / Taranaki, Palmerston North / Manawatū-Whanganui, Wellington, Nelson and Tasman: March-April and September-October. In Blenheim / Marlborough, West Coast, Christchurch / Canterbury, Dunedin / Otago and Invercargill / Southland: September-October.
Growing stages
Planting & establishmentFirst few months
- This is a tree for a large property or park-like section, not an ordinary suburban section, given its eventual 20-30m height and equally wide canopy
- Tolerates a wide range of soil pH; water while young roots establish
- Low ongoing water needs once established, but consistent watering matters most in these first months
Early growthFirst 1-2 years
- Watch for oak powdery mildew, a known but generally cosmetic issue on NZ-grown trees
- Growth is slow at first for a tree that can live for centuries, so early progress is naturally gradual
Maturity
- Moderate drought tolerance is established by this stage, needing only occasional watering through extended dry spells
- Continue allowing for the tree's full eventual spread; centuries-old specimens are common in Europe