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.
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.
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.
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.
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?