Quercus robur 'PURPURASCENS'

Oaks are common trees of our natural woodlands. They border our ponds, occur naturally in our mixed forests, and make magnificent specimen trees in our parks and arboretums where less common species or rare varieties can be seen. English oak and sessile oak are the most common species of the Czech Republic. They are very similar and quite difficult to differentiate without fruit.

Purpurascens is a less common English oak variety with red foliage. It forms medium large trees with spreading canopies and almost horizontal branches. Deciduous leaves are partly leathery, bright maroon as they emerge, turning deep green with mahogany red hues in summer, and in autumnchange to rich maroon and orange. Red shades are more pronounced in full sun and in acidic soil. They are shallowly lobed and appear clustered along the branch tips. They are usually less prone to powdery mildew than the species and the tree often makes another portion of new foliage in late summer which will salvage its beauty.

Though smaller than the species, Purpurascens is still a large tree and suitable for open landscapes or places where it will be controlled by pruning. Since it grows slowly it can easily be kept smaller by late winter pruning. Bark is deeply furrowed, dark grey, very firm. Flowers are short catkins, they appear in May and are followed by elongated acorns loved by boars.

Oaks are not fussy about soil type, they can take anything from slightly alkaline to slightly acidic conditions which they prefer. They do well in well-drained soil, moist is good but boggy is fatal. Once established they withstand drought and city pollution. Newly planted trees need to be staked for 2-3 years to establish. Its robust, shallow roots may heave paving. Fully hardy to min. -30°C (USDA zone 5), and very likely a little more.

Last update 16-09-2022