EN
Open Studio
GridGarden Studio
Choose your climateBased on winter hardiness only.

Tree · Fagaceae family

English oak

Quercus robur

Full sun in a garden ~22 ft 11⅝ in × ~16 ft 4⅞ in to −84 °F

In short a 10-second read

SunFull sun
in a garden after 10 years~22 ft 11⅝ in
in the wild up to 98.4 ft
spacing 49.2 ft
PlantingMarch–April, October–November
WinterNo winter protection

Where to plant and how much to water

Sun, soil and water.

It grows best in full sun, in average to moist soil.

Sun

Sun6 hours or more
Part shade3–6 hours
Shadeunder 3 h

Soil

tolerates any pH
acidicneutralalkaline
average to moistloamyclaysandy

Watering

regularly until establishedat the base, not on the leavesless when it rains

Frost

−84 °F
no winter protectionleafless in winter

How much space it takes

Mature size.

The mature plant next to a person (69 in).

3 ft 3⅜ in6 ft 6¾ in9 ft 10⅛ in13 ft 1½ in16 ft 4⅞ in19 ft 8¼ in22 ft 11⅝ in26 ft 3 in29 ft 6⅜ in32.8 ft36.1 ft39.4 ft42.7 ft45.9 ft49.2 ft52.5 ft55.8 ft59.1 ft62.3 ft65.6 ft68.9 ft72.2 ft75.5 ft78.7 ft82 ft85.3 ft88.6 ft91.9 ft95.1 ft98.4 ft39.4 ft–98.4 ftspread 49.2 ft–82 ft
39.4 ft–98.4 ft× spread 49.2 ft–82 ft

Plant 49.2 ft apart.

The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.

Calendar

Through the year.

Typical for a temperate climate (four seasons). The line shows the current month.

The year at a glance

Planting: JanuaryPlanting: FebruaryPlanting: MarchPlanting: AprilPlanting: MayPlanting: JunePlanting: JulyPlanting: AugustPlanting: SeptemberPlanting: OctoberPlanting: NovemberPlanting: DecemberFeeding: JanuaryFeeding: FebruaryFeeding: MarchFeeding: AprilFeeding: MayFeeding: JuneFeeding: JulyFeeding: AugustFeeding: SeptemberFeeding: OctoberFeeding: NovemberFeeding: DecemberJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PlantingFeeding
Now, in October: a good time for planting (container plant, bare-root, root-balled).
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Planting

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

container plant: March–April, October–November; bare-root: March–April, October–November; root-balled: March–April, October–November

Feeding

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May–June

Feeding

Nutrition.

Horn meal

up to 0.18 oz/sq ft a year, if the soil needs it · May–June

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Pests and diseases

Common problems and what to do.

The most common problems in Central Europe. Protection is listed from the gentlest option.

High riskMedium riskLow riskRisk for this plant according to the source · no label = no documented level
Honey fungus

Honey fungus

Armillaria
High riskdiseasesource covers the whole genus
More about this problem

What you will see

The crown dies suddenly or gradually; honey-brown mushrooms at the base of the trunk, white fungal mats between bark and wood with a mushroomy smell.

The source says: it is among the plants particularly susceptible to honey fungus.

When to look

Mushrooms in late summer and fall; mycelium in the soil all year

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • After an outbreak, replace plants with less susceptible species.
  2. By handDig out and dispose of infected roots and stumps; insert a barrier of heavy-duty plastic sheeting 17¾ in deep.
Honey fungusdisease · mushrooms in late summer and fall; mycelium in the soil all yearHigh risk

What you will see

The crown dies suddenly or gradually; honey-brown mushrooms at the base of the trunk, white fungal mats between bark and wood with a mushroomy smell.

The source says: it is among the plants particularly susceptible to honey fungus.

When to look

Mushrooms in late summer and fall; mycelium in the soil all year

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • After an outbreak, replace plants with less susceptible species.
  2. By handDig out and dispose of infected roots and stumps; insert a barrier of heavy-duty plastic sheeting 17¾ in deep.
More about this problem

Oak powdery mildew

disease

What you will see

Whitish powdery coating on the upper sides of leaves, tiny black fruiting bodies in fall.

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Maintain tree vigor.
  2. By hand fallRake up fallen leaves; chemical sprays are usually not justified.
Oak powdery mildewdisease

What you will see

Whitish powdery coating on the upper sides of leaves, tiny black fruiting bodies in fall.

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Maintain tree vigor.
  2. By hand fallRake up fallen leaves; chemical sprays are usually not justified.

Oak processionary moth

pest

What you will see

Caterpillars with irritating hairs in nests and in processions on the trunk; they eat leaves; the hairs irritate the skin.

When to look

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
April–July

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Do not touch the caterpillars and do not go near the nests.

Do not handle the caterpillars or nests, and keep away from them.

Oak processionary mothpest · April–July

What you will see

Caterpillars with irritating hairs in nests and in processions on the trunk; they eat leaves; the hairs irritate the skin.

When to look

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
April–July

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Do not touch the caterpillars and do not go near the nests.

Do not handle the caterpillars or nests, and keep away from them.

Gypsy moth

Lymantria dispar
pestsource covers the whole genus
More about this problem

What you will see

Caterpillars eat leaves, mainly at night; on oak they can completely defoliate trees.

When to look

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
May–June

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Leave caterpillars killed by the fungus Entomophaga maimaiga hanging on the tree – they spread spores.
  2. Biological May–JuneA product based on Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki against young caterpillars (~¼ in).
  3. Chemical — only when nothing else helpsA product authorized in your country against spongy moth (as per the label; only if the other steps are not enough).
Gypsy mothpest · May–June

What you will see

Caterpillars eat leaves, mainly at night; on oak they can completely defoliate trees.

When to look

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
May–June

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Leave caterpillars killed by the fungus Entomophaga maimaiga hanging on the tree – they spread spores.
  2. Biological May–JuneA product based on Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki against young caterpillars (~¼ in).
  3. Chemical — only when nothing else helpsA product authorized in your country against spongy moth (as per the label; only if the other steps are not enough).
More about this problem
Sources (5)

Frequently asked

Quick answers.

Does English oak tolerate shade?

No, it needs full sun.

How much space does English oak need?

At maturity 49.2 ft–82 ft wide and 39.4 ft–98.4 ft tall; recommended spacing 49.2 ft.

Oak powdery mildew — what can you do?

Maintain tree vigor. Rake up fallen leaves; chemical sprays are usually not justified.

Oak processionary moth — what can you do?

Do not touch the caterpillars and do not go near the nests.

Sources (17) Checked 24 October 2026

Similar plants

Have a look at these too.

pin oak

Quercus palustris

49.2 ft–82 ft × 32.8 ft–49.2 ft
Low maintenancetree
Plan this plant in your garden in Studio