Tree · Fagaceae family · with preparation per the EMAornamental and medicinal · also in Medicinal herbs
English oak
Quercus robur
In short a 10-second read
English oak (tree) grows to 12–30 m tall and 15–25 m wide when mature. It grows best in full sun, in average to moist soil. Hardy to −29 °C.
× spread 15–25 m
Where to plant
Sun, soil, frost.
It grows best in full sun, in average to moist soil. Hardy to −29 °C.
Sun
Elsewhere it will grow less well.
Soil and water
average to moist · watering: moderate
Soil: loamy, clay, sandy
Frost
It copes with a normal winter outdoors.
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).
Next to a person
The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.
Calendar
What to do and when.
Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
Pruning
No pruning needed — just remove dead or damaged parts (February–March).
Planting
container plant: October–April; bare-root: October–March; root-balled: October–March
Winter protection
not needed
Overwintering
It copes with winter on its own.
It overwinters outdoors without protection, hardy to −29 °C.
- Needs no protection
- Hardy to −29 °C
- Deciduous — bare in winter
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
Does English oak tolerate shade?
No, it needs full sun.
How much space does English oak need?
At maturity 15–25 m wide and 12–30 m tall; recommended spacing 1500 cm.
Does English oak survive winter outdoors?
Yes, without protection, hardy to −29 °C.
Where the data comes from
The data is indicative — we are still comparing it with further sources. Last checked 18 October 2026.
Show sources (17)
- GBIF — Quercus robur
- Okrasné škôlky (SK) — Listnaté stromy
- NC State Extension Plant Toolbox
- Van den Berk
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (species/match)
- Wikipedia (EN)
- RHS - Watering
- EMA/HMPC - Quercus cortex (herbal medicine)
- EMA/HMPC - monografia Quercus cortex (EMA/HMPC/3203/2009)
- RHS - Quercus robur
- RHS - Shrubs and trees: light pruning
- RHS - Trees and shrubs: planting
- Clemson HGIC - Planting Trees Correctly
- RHS - How to grow trees
- Invasive plant lists — this species is not on them: Slovakia, Czechia, Germany
Similar plants
Have a look at these too.
Preparation and use · English oak
How to prepare it.
According to the monograph of the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
part: bark
Herbal tea at home
For: mild diarrhoea EMA 4.1For whom: From 18 years · adults, elderly EMA 4.2
- What you use
- Herb EMA 4.2
- How it is used
- By mouth EMA 4.2
- Single dose
- 3 g of dried bark in 250 ml of water EMA 4.2
- How often
- 3× a day EMA 4.2
- How long
- Use for no more than 3 days. EMA 4.2
Method
- 1
Weigh out 3 g of dried bark.
EMA 4.2 - 2
Pour over 250 ml of water.
EMA 4.2 - 3
Drink 3× a day.
EMA 4.2
part: bark
Decoction for rinses and poultices at home
For: minor inflammation of the mouth lining or skin EMA 4.1For whom: From 18 years · adults, elderly EMA 4.2
- What you use
- Herb EMA 4.2
- How it is used
- In the mouth and throat EMA 4.2
- Single dose
- 20 g of dried bark per 1 l of water EMA 4.2
- How often
- Several times a day EMA 4.2
- Preparation
- As a decoction EMA 4.2
- How long
- Use for no more than 1 week. EMA 4.2
Method
- 1
Put 20 g of dried bark in a pan.
EMA 4.2 - 2
Pour over 1 l of water.
EMA 4.2 - 3
Bring to the boil and simmer for 15–30 min.
EMA/HMPC/5829/201020:00 - 4
Rinse your mouth several times a day.
EMA 4.2
part: bark
Bath at home
For: minor inflammation of the mouth lining or skin, itching and burning with haemorrhoids once a doctor has excluded serious conditions EMA 4.1For whom: From 18 years · adults, elderly EMA 4.2
- What you use
- Herb EMA 4.2
- How it is used
- In a bath EMA 4.2
- Single dose
- 5 g of dried bark per 1 l of water EMA 4.2
- How often
- 1× a day EMA 4.2
- Preparation
- As a decoction EMA 4.2
- Bath time
- 20 min EMA 4.2
- How long
- Use for no more than 1 week. EMA 4.2
Method
- 1
Put 5 g of dried bark in a pan.
EMA 4.2 - 2
Pour over 1 l of water.
EMA 4.2 - 3
Bring to the boil and simmer for 15–30 min.
EMA/HMPC/5829/201020:00 - 4
Add to a bath 1× a day.
EMA 4.2 - 5
Stay in the bath for 20 min.
EMA 4.2
part: bark
Powdered herb from a pharmacy
A ready-made product. The exact method is in the package leaflet.
For: mild diarrhoea EMA 4.1For whom: From 18 years · adults, elderly EMA 4.2
- What you use
- Powdered herb EMA 4.2
- How it is used
- By mouth EMA 4.2
- Single dose
- 1 g EMA 4.2
- How often
- 3× a day EMA 4.2
- How long
- Use for no more than 3 days. EMA 4.2
Method
- 1
Weigh out 1 g of powder.
EMA 4.2 - 2
Take it 3× a day.
EMA 4.2
Dosage
| Form | Single dose | How often | For whom | How long | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Herbal teaat homepart: barkfor: mild diarrhoea | 3 g of dried bark in 250 ml of water EMA 4.2 | 3× a day | From 18 years · adults, elderly | at most 3 days EMA 4.2 | |
| Decoction for rinses and poulticesat homepart: barkfor: minor inflammation of the mouth lining or skin | 20 g of bark per 1 l of water as a decoction, several times a day EMA 4.2 | From 18 years · adults, elderly | at most 1 week EMA 4.2 | Preparation: as a decoction EMA 4.2 | |
| Bathat homepart: barkfor: minor inflammation of the mouth lining or skin, itching and burning with haemorrhoids once a doctor has excluded serious conditions | 5 g of bark per 1 l of water as a decoction added to the bath, 1 times a day, 20 minutes EMA 4.3 | From 18 years · adults, elderly | at most 1 week EMA 4.2 | Preparation: as a decoction · Bath time: 20 min EMA 4.2 | |
| Powdered herbfrom a pharmacypart: barkfor: mild diarrhoea | 1 g EMA 4.2 | 3× a day | From 18 years · adults, elderly | at most 3 days EMA 4.2 | |
| Adults only EMA 4.2 | |||||
How long
Use for no more than 3 days. — for: mild diarrhoea EMA 4.2
Use for no more than 1 week. — for: minor inflammation of the mouth lining or skin, itching and burning with haemorrhoids once a doctor has excluded serious conditions EMA 4.2
Who should not use it
- Adults only EMA 4.2
- If hypersensitive (allergic) to this plant EMA 4.3
- During pregnancy and breastfeeding (not recommended) EMA 4.6
- As a bath additive with open wounds, large skin or mucosa injuries or skin or mucosa infection EMA 4.3
Cautions
- Take other medicines at least 1 hour before or after. EMA 4.5
- With recurrent diarrhoea or bloody stools, see a doctor. EMA 4.4
- If symptoms persist, see a doctor. EMA 4.2
- No hot baths with fever, infection, heart failure or high blood pressure. EMA 4.4
- Only after a doctor has excluded serious conditions. EMA 4.1
- If rectal bleeding occurs, see a doctor. EMA 4.4