Tree of the month - March 2016
What is tree of the month?
Quercus canariensis (Algerian Oak)
Why is it tree of the month?
Described by W.J Bean as ‘one of the handsomest of all oaks’, Quercus canariensis stands out in a crowd, and particularly at this time of the year. Being semi-evergreen it retains its leaves through winter, sometimes even up until fresh ones emerge in spring.
Though specific epithets often give an indication of origin, this is not the case with Quercus canariensis, as it is native to North Africa and the Iberian peninsula, and not the Canary Islands! In cultivation in Britain since at least 1845, our oldest specimen is one of the original plantings along Broad Drive, dating from around 1875. It grows in what was known as the European Oak Collection, alongside a number of other Quercus from this part of the world.
Variable in appearance the wild, our largest trees are considered to be the ‘English form’. That is to say they are of the typical appearance of trees encountered in cultivation in this country, which (as with many species grown in gardens) is not representative of the species in the wild. Younger trees in the collection are from known wild origin in Spain – observe the differences for yourselves!!
Where can I find it?
The largest example in Silk Wood is along Broad Drive (see above, it is also part of the TreeQuests app so you may encounter it if you take a trail using that!) and in the Old Arboretum is close to the north end of Holford Ride and Loop Walk. Younger, wild origin examples can be seen close to Waste Gate, in 2050 Glade. You can find them all on the interactive map.
