Sessile Oak

Known as the "king of trees," the sessile oak can reach heights of over 40m and has an unparalleled lifespan. It's a classic tree found in European forests.

53Arbre2920%FRhttps://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/03/29975171525cffa6ac400a830e26cf86373eb387.jpegSessile OakAge: 55 to 60 years old Ruillé Forest 72https://ecotree.green/en/offers/forest/ruille-foresthttps://ecotree.green/en/offers/72-sarthe/ruille-forest/sessile-oak/53
Age: 55 to 60 years old
Ruillé Forest
Sarthe, Pays de la Loire, France
657Arbre3020%FRhttps://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/03/29975171525cffa6ac400a830e26cf86373eb387.jpegSessile OakAge: 55 to 60 years old Ruillé Forest 72https://ecotree.green/en/offers/forest/ruille-foresthttps://ecotree.green/en/offers/72-sarthe/ruille-forest/sessile-oak/657
Age: 55 to 60 years old
Ruillé Forest
Sarthe, Pays de la Loire, France
3647Arbre1820%FRhttps://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/03/8931b3cbc83d13687b1b411f16241419fb5aac14.jpegSessile OakUneven-aged high forest Peyrat de Bellac Forest 87https://ecotree.green/en/offers/forest/peyrat-de-bellac-foresthttps://ecotree.green/en/offers/87-haute-vienne/peyrat-de-bellac-forest/sessile-oak/3647
Age: 0 to 2 years old
Peyrat de Bellac Forest
Haute-Vienne, Center of France
3240Arbre1820%FRhttps://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/03/8931b3cbc83d13687b1b411f16241419fb5aac14.jpegSessile OakUneven-aged high forest Ajoux Forest 7https://ecotree.green/en/offers/forest/ajoux-foresthttps://ecotree.green/en/offers/7-ardeche/ajoux-forest/sessile-oak/3240
Age: 0 to 2 years old
Ajoux Forest
Ardèche, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France
4071Arbre18.7525%DKhttps://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/03/8931b3cbc83d13687b1b411f16241419fb5aac14.jpegSessile OakUneven-aged high forest The Old Gravel Forest in Nysum 7755https://ecotree.green/en/offers/forest/nysum-foresthttps://ecotree.green/en/offers/7755-nordjylland/nysum-forest/sessile-oak/4071
Sessile Oak €18.75
Age: 0 to 2 years old
The Old Gravel Forest in Nysum
Nordjylland, Denmark
2545Arbre1820%FRhttps://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/03/8931b3cbc83d13687b1b411f16241419fb5aac14.jpegSessile OakUneven-aged high forest Montplonne Forest 55https://ecotree.green/en/offers/forest/montplonne-foresthttps://ecotree.green/en/offers/55-meuse/montplonne-forest/sessile-oak/2545
Age: 0 to 2 years old
Montplonne Forest
Meuse, Grand Est, France

Sessile Oak

The sessile oak (Quercus petraea) is part of the fagaceum family of flowering plants that also includes beeches and chestnuts. You may also know the sessile oak as the Cornish, Irish, or durmast oak, as it is the official tree of Ireland and an unofficial emblem in Wales and Cornwall. You can find the sessile throughout most of Western Europe, including in many EcoTree forests.

Why does EcoTree plant sessile oaks?

The sessile oak is a deciduous tree important both ecologically and economically, as it is traditionally used for building materials. We cultivate it since it grows well in sandy soils, at high altitudes up to 1600m, and in dry and poorly-lit climates. More resistant to drought than the English oak, and hardly affected by parasites or disease, the sessile oak is well-suited for resisting climate change.

Sessile Oak - Overview

Sessile Oak - Overview

A sessile oak can live for 500–1000 years and reach up to 45m in height with a trunk diameter of 2m. Its bark has vertical ridges with grooves that run along its length and allow rainwater to make its way to the ground. It has a bright yet ample canopy made up of branches less twisted than its cousin, the English oak. Its leaves grow on small stalks shallow-lobed leaves that easily detach from their petioles or stalks.

It is a monoecious species, with male flowers in long catkins at the base of the leaf blades, and small female flowers found in clusters. The sessile – which means stalkless – produces acorns attached directly to the twig.
Read more Read less
Sessile Oak

Sessile Oak - Species requirements

Less adapted to cool, coastal areas than the English oak, the sessile oak requires less light and fares better in periods of drought. This makes its zone of distribution remain in sub-Atlantic regions. A hill-bound species, it can be found up to altitudes of 1600m. It grows in stony sand, clay, and lime soil, but does best in thick, lightly acidic soil: silts or sand.

The sessile oak is planted in autumn, usually November, well away from periods of frost, in holes 3 to 4 times larger than and as deep as their root ball. During its first year, the tree must be watered regularly, especially if it's grown tall already.

Sessile Oak Wood

The sessile oak has a high-quality wood that is both very solid and easy to work with. Traditionally, the wood has been used for building materials, shipbuilding, and making furniture.

Sessile Oak Symbolism

The sessile oak has come to symbolise strength, power, and generosity. With such a long lifespan, it’s ever present throughout most of our lives, making it the perfect sustainable birthday gift. What better way to celebrate a long-lasting relationship than with a unique and living gift for a happy occasion?