Description

--Characteristics--

The Sessile Oak is a British native tree, originally found more in the north and the west of Britain, whereas the English Oak favoured the south and the east. Also known as the Durmast Oak, it is often considered to be a better-shaped tree than its near relative, with a longer, straighter trunk, slightly narrower shape and more handsome leaves. It is its equal in conservation value, and has a faster growth rate.

Site and soil

Most soils except shallow, poorly drained sites. Will do well on exposed sites and in coastal areas.

Height and spread

Below are the approximate stages of growth, assuming sited in suitable conditions for this species;

After 10 years: 6m x 3m
After 20 years: 12m x 8m

Leaf and bark

The leaves are less deeply lobed than those of the common oak, and with a distinctive yellow stalk. They are 7.5 – 12.5cm and dark green, turning brown before leaf fall in autumn. The bark is greyish, with deep fissures and cracks.

Flower, seed and fruit

The yellow-green male catkins and insignificant female flowers appear in May. The smooth glossy green seeds (acorns) are held in rough-textured cups and ripen to brown in autumn. They are produced without stalks.

Uses

Woodland, parkland, specimen tree, commemorative tree.

The very hard, strong, durable wood is used for shipbuilding, furniture, buildings and cabinet-making. The bark has been used for tanning and for medicinal purposes. Oak sawdust and oak galls were used to make dyes and ink. The acorns were a valuable food for pigs – and for humans in times of famine. The oak was revered by the ancient Druids, and is still a focus for folk customs and superstition in many areas.

Mistletoe grown on oak was thought to have the most magical powers. Many English place names are derived from the oak, for example Okehampton and Sevenoaks.

Wildlife

Over 400 different species of insects rely on the oak, making it very valuable in conservation terms. Jays and small mammals eat the acorns, and Pied Flycatchers breed amongst its branches. Because the oak is late into leaf, wildflowers and mosses thrive beneath its branches. The Sessile Oak reaches a great age – up to 700 years – and as it ages the trunk tends to become hollow, offering shelter for animals, insects and birds.

--Plant Protection--

--Planting & Care--

Aftercare

Oak is not usually pruned, but damaged branches should be tidied to a clean cut as damage occurs.

The main reasons for buying protection is to protect the plants against:

Pests
Spraying
Strimming

Pests

When it comes to deciding what protection to choose the golden rule is to choose the product dependent on which pest you are protecting against. The below will help you in deciding what height of protection you will need.


Vole, Mice 20cm	Rabbit 60cm	Hare 75cm	Roe Deer, Muntjac 1.20m	Fallow Deer 1.50m

Pest & Minimum Protection Height	Protection Type Where more than one size is listed, the wider diameter protection is recommended for taller, bushier plants.	Support Required Taller support is recommended for use in sandier, lighter soils and wider/stronger support should be used at exposed sites.
Vole, Mice 20cm	Vole Guard 20cm	None required
Pest & Minimum Protection Height	Protection Type Where more than one size is listed, the wider diameter protection is recommended for taller, bushier plants.	Support Required Taller support is recommended for use in sandier, lighter soils and wider/stronger support should be used at exposed sites.
Sorted by price; lowest to highest
Rabbit 60cm	Spiral Guard 60cm x 38mm, 60cm x 50mm	Bamboo Cane 90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs or 14-16lbs
	Tubex Easywrap 60cm x 50-65mm	Bamboo Cane 90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs or 14-16lbs
	Mesh Guard with Spray Shield 60cm x 130mm	2 x Bamboo Canes 90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs or 14-16lbs
	Tubex Fruitwrap 60cm x 65-80mm	Bamboo Cane 90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs or 14-16lbs
	Tubex Ecostart 60cm x 57-73cm	Square Sawn Tree Stake 75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mm
	Tubex Tree Shelter 60cm x 73-105mm	Square Sawn Tree Stake 75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mm
	Tubex Shelterguard Mesh Tube 60cm x 80-110mm	Square Sawn Tree Stake 75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mm
	Tubex Treeguard Mesh Tube 60cm x 80-110mm	Square Sawn Tree Stake 75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mm
	Tubex Shrub Shelter 60cm x 130-160mm, 60cm x 144-200mm	Square Sawn Tree Stake 75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mm
	Tubex Shrub Shelterguard Mesh Tube 60cm x 130-160mm, 60cm x 170-200mm	Square Sawn Tree Stake 75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mm
	Tubex Treeguard Mesh Tube for Shrubs 60cm x 130-160mm, 60cm x 170-200mm	Square Sawn Tree Stake 75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mm
Pest & Minimum Protection Height	Protection Type Where more than one size is listed, the wider diameter protection is recommended for taller, bushier plants.	Support Required Taller support is recommended for use in sandier, lighter soils and wider/stronger support should be used at exposed sites.
Sorted by price; lowest to highest
Hare 75cm	Tubex Easywrap 75cm x 50-65mm	Bamboo Cane 90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs, 14-16lbs or 1.20m x 20-22lbs
	Spiral Guard 75cm x 50mm	Bamboo Cane 90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs, 14-16lbs or 1.20m x 20-22lbs
	Tubex Fruitwrap 75cm x 65-80mm	Bamboo Cane 90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs, 14-16lbs or 1.20m x 20-22lbs
	Tubex Ecostart 75cm x 57-73mm	Square Sawn Tree Stake 90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mm
	Tubex Tree Shelter 75cm x 73-105mm	Square Sawn Tree Stake 90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mm
	Tubex Combitube 75cm x 73-105mm	Square Sawn Tree Stake 90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mm
	Tubex Shelterguard Mesh Tube 90cm x 80-110mm	Square Sawn Tree Stake 90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mm
	Tubex Treeguard Mesh Tube 75cm x 80-110mm, 90cm x 80-110mm	Square Sawn Tree Stake 90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mm
	Tubex Shrub Shelter 75cm x 130-160mm, 75cm x 144-200mm	Square Sawn Tree Stake 90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mm
Pest & Minimum Protection Height	Protection Type Where more than one size is listed, the wider diameter protection is recommended for taller, bushier plants.	Support Required Taller support is recommended for use in sandier, lighter soils and wider/stronger support should be used at exposed sites.
Sorted by price; lowest to highest
Roe Deer/Muntjac 1.20m	Tubex Tree Shelter 1.20m x 73-105mm, 1.20m x 80-120mm	Square Sawn Tree Stake 1.20m x 32mm, 1.35m x 32mm
	Tubex Combitube 1.20m x 73-105mm	Square Sawn Tree Stake 1.20m x 32mm, 1.35m x 32mm
	Tubex Shelterguard Mesh Tube 1.20m x 80-110mm	Square Sawn Tree Stake 1.20m x 32mm, 1.35m x 32mm
	Tubex Treeguard Mesh Tube 1.20m x 80-110mm	Square Sawn Tree Stake 1.20m x 32mm, 1.35m x 32mm
	Galvanised Mesh Tree Guard 1.20m x 300mm	Machine Rounded Tree Stake 1.20m x 50mm, 1.50m x 50mm
Pest & Minimum Protection Height	Protection Type Where more than one size is listed, the wider diameter protection is recommended for taller, bushier plants.	Support Required Taller support is recommended for use in sandier, lighter soils and wider/stronger support should be used at exposed sites.
Sorted by price; lowest to highest
Fallow Deer 1.50m	Tubex Tree Shelter 1.50m x 80-120mm, 1.80m x 80-120mm	Square Sawn Tree Stake 1.50m x 32mm, 1.80m x 32mm
	Tubex Combitube 1.50m x 80-120mm, 1.80m x 80-120mm	Square Sawn Tree Stake 1.50m x 32mm, 1.80m x 32mm
	Tubex Shelterguard Mesh Tube 1.50m x 80-110mm, 1.80m x 80-110mm	Square Sawn Tree Stake 1.50m x 32mm, 1.80m x 32mm
	Tubex Treeguard Mesh Tube 1.50m x 80-110mm, 1.80m x 80-110mm	Square Sawn Tree Stake 1.50m x 32mm, 1.80m x 32mm
	Galvanised Mesh Tree Guard 1.80m x 300mm, 1.80m x 600mm	Machine Rounded Tree Stake 1.80m x 60mm

Spraying

Tubex tree shelters offer the benefit of not only protecting against animal damage, they also ensure that herbicides do not come into contact with the plants during spraying.

The main reason for spraying is weed control, however, there are other options available to suppress weeds, such as weed control matting.

Strimming

Young plants should be protected from damage caused when strimming. To protect plants solely for strimming, our strimmer guards are the ideal product.