Quercus x warei 'Long' REGAL PRINCE^®

Columnar hybrid oak REGAL PRINCE^® is a result of crossing seeds of English oak (quercus robur Fastigiata) and swamp white oak (quercus bicolor). The aim was to achieve a hardier form of columnar oak since the English oak proved too sensitive in harsh arctic winds in Illinois. This experiment was carried out by Earl Cully from Jacksonville, USA, in 1974, and the successful result was patented 25 years later in 1998 under PP12,673.

REGAL PRINCE^® is a deciduous oak of dense, upright, and narrowly oval to columnar habit. It has beautiful, medium green, obovate leaves with unevenly lobed margins. They turn amber-yellow in autumn. They are resistant to powdery mildew and borers, which are problems of English oaks in Europe, too.

It is a vigorous grower, but keeps its upright habit without bending its branches after strong winds or under heavy snow-fall. Even though it becomes a tall tree in maturity, reaching some 15m tall and 6m wide, many small and mid-sized garden owners go for this one, mostly for its lush foliage, knowing they can regulate its size by pruning in early spring. It will grow in almost any soil but prefers humus-rich, slightly acid, evenly moist conditions in full sun. Hardy to about -34°C (USDA zone 4).

Last update: 14-02-2013