Fauna
Plant

English Oak

Quercus robur

Also known as Pedunculate Oak, European Oak, Common Oak, French Oak

English oaks structure entire woodland ecosystems, supporting thousands of insect, fungal, and bird species over life spans exceeding eight centuries. Broad leaves feature distinctive ear-like lobes at their base, while acorns dangle from long, delicate stalks known as peduncles. As veteran trees age, their hollowing trunks create critical shelter for cavity-nesting birds, bats, and rare beetles.

DeciduousHardwoodKeystone Species
English Oak reference1 / 6
(c) Natalya Ivanova, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyPhotosynthetic
Predators
  • Eurasian Jay
  • Grey Squirrel
  • Oak Processionary Moth
ThreatsAcute Oak Decline, Oak Processionary Moth, Habitat Fragmentation
HabitatsLowland Forests, Woodlands, Meadows, River Valleys
Life span500–1000+ years
Classification
  1. OrderFagales
  2. FamilyFagaceae
  3. GenusQuercus
  4. SpeciesQuercus robur
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Leaf Inspection: Look for leaves with short petioles and distinct ear-like lobes near the base.
  • Acorn Stalks: Check whether acorns grow on long stems, which separates this tree from sessile oak.
  • Canopy Watching: Scan the high branches in autumn to spot jays harvesting acorns for winter storage.
Related species
Keep collecting in Fauna

Found in Collections

Ecosystem chain

The Forest Floor

English Oak is found in this collection. Identify it in Fauna to fill this slot and continue your progress.

—/12
Continue in the app
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?

Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.

Checking your Fauna account…