Chestnut-leaved oak

Seeds of the chestnut-leaved oak first arrived in Britain in 1843.

Historical information

Seeds of the chestnut-leaved oak first arrived in Britain in 1843. Kew’s magnificent 30-metre-high specimen, on the lawn behind the Waterlily House, was planted in 1846. Almost as wide as it is high, and still growing, it is one of Kew’s biggest broad-leafed trees. During the great storm of 1987, many neighbouring trees blew down, but the chestnut-leaved oak didn’t even lose a limb. It now dominates the lawn on which it stands.

About this species

The chestnut-leaved oak (Quercus castaneifolia) originates in the Caucasus and Alborz mountains of Iran. It is similar to its close relative, the Turkey oak, in that its acorns grow in mossy cups. However, its leaves do not conform to the traditional lobed-shape of most oaks. Rather, they are spear-shaped like those of the sweet chestnut, hence the tree’s name. The leaves are a shiny dark green until autumn when they turn deep bronze then brown before dropping.

Things to look out for

Take a look at the size and shape of the tree. Kew’s specimen has been officially recognised by the Tree Register of Britain and Ireland (TROBI) as an unrivalled ‘champion’, so you will not see a larger or finer specimen anywhere in the UK. This charity maintains a database of notable trees and describes Kew as having the richest collection of champion trees in Britain and Ireland.

 

• Print friendly
• Send to a friend
• Send to a friend Close

  Recipient's email address

  Your first name

  Surname
• Spread the word
• Spread the word Close

  The URL of this page

  URL of this page:

  • Digg
  • Google Bookmarks
  • del.icio.us
  • Newsvine
  • Facebook
  • reddit
  • Yahoo! My Web
  • StumbleUpon
  • livejournal
  • BlinkList
• Blog this
• Blog this Close

  The URL of this page

  URL of this page:

  • Twitter
  • Blogger
  • WordPress
  • Live Journal
  • Typepad
  • Xanga
  • identi.ca
  • MySpace
  • Bebo
  • Hi5
• Like this
• CloseDo you like this?
  Yes