Few trees carry as much character, history and wildlife value as the oak. From the mighty English oak to the glossy evergreen holm oak and the blazing autumn colour of the scarlet oak, the Quercus genus offers something for almost every setting. Here is a tour of ten oak trees, what makes each one special, and where it will thrive.

English Oak (Quercus robur)

The English oak is the classic British tree, woven into our landscape, folklore and history. It is slow-growing but extraordinarily long-lived, often reaching several hundred years old. Few native trees support more wildlife: its leaves, bark and acorns feed and shelter hundreds of species of insects, birds and mammals.

Best for: parkland, estates, large gardens, hedgerows and anyone planting for future generations.

Cork Oak (Quercus suber)

Native to the western Mediterranean, the cork oak is famous for its thick, spongy, deeply fissured bark, the source of natural cork. It is evergreen, with small, leathery grey-green leaves, and develops a wonderfully gnarled, characterful form as it matures.

Best for: sheltered, sunny, well-drained sites and a striking feature tree with real texture.

Holm Oak (Quercus ilex)

Also called the evergreen oak, the holm oak keeps its dark, glossy foliage all year round. It is tough, tolerant of coastal winds and salt spray, and takes clipping well, so it works as a large specimen, a dense screen or even topiary.

Best for: coastal gardens, year-round screening and formal planting.

Muller Oak (Quercus cornelius-mulleri)

A rarer find, the Muller oak comes from the dry hills of southern California. It is a compact, shrubby evergreen oak with small, felted, grey-green leaves adapted to sun and drought. It is a real collector’s tree and an interesting talking point.

Best for: collectors, dry gravel gardens and very free-draining, sunny spots.

Pin Oak (Quercus palustris)

The pin oak has an elegant, pyramidal shape, with lower branches that sweep gracefully downwards. Its deeply cut, glossy leaves turn rich scarlet to bronze in autumn. It prefers moist, acidic soil and grows faster than many oaks.

Best for: avenues, parkland and gardens with neutral to acidic soil.

Red Oak (Quercus rubra)

The North American red oak is one of the fastest-growing oaks and one of the most reliable for autumn colour, with large, pointed-lobed leaves that turn russet-red to deep crimson. It is hardy and adaptable, and it makes a fine shade tree.

Best for: quick-establishing shade, larger gardens and seasonal colour.

Scarlet Oak (Quercus coccinea)

If autumn colour is the priority, the scarlet oak is hard to beat. Its glossy, deeply lobed leaves turn a brilliant, long-lasting scarlet, often holding their colour later into the season than other oaks. It has an open, graceful crown and prefers acidic, well-drained soil.

Best for: show-stopping autumn displays and specimen planting.

Turkey Oak (Quercus cerris)

Native to southern Europe and Asia Minor, the Turkey oak is vigorous, tall and tolerant of a wide range of soils, including chalk. You can recognise it by its “mossy” acorn cups, covered in curly, whisker-like scales. It is a robust, fast-growing choice for large spaces.

Best for: large sites, shelter belts and chalky or difficult soils.

Water Oak (Quercus nigra)

From the south-eastern United States, the water oak is known for its unusual, variable leaves, often spoon- or paddle-shaped and sometimes slightly lobed. Semi-evergreen in mild areas, it copes well with damp ground and grows quickly into a rounded, attractive tree.

Best for: moist sites and anyone looking for a less common oak with distinctive foliage.

Willow Oak (Quercus phellos)

The willow oak looks nothing like a typical oak. Its long, narrow, unlobed leaves resemble a willow’s, giving it a fine, feathery texture. It forms a neat, rounded crown, turns yellow to russet in autumn and is happy in moist soils.

Best for: gardens wanting a lighter, finer-textured oak and wetter ground.

Choosing the Right Oak

When choosing an oak, think about:

• Space: most oaks become large trees, so allow plenty of room to grow.

• Soil: pin, scarlet and willow oaks prefer acidic to neutral soil, while Turkey oak and holm oak tolerate chalk.

• Evergreen or deciduous: holm, cork and Muller oaks give year-round cover.

• Autumn colour: for the best displays, go for scarlet, red or pin oak.

• Wildlife: nothing beats the native English oak.

Whatever your site, there is an oak that will reward you, and your grandchildren, for decades to come. Get in touch with our team for advice on the best species for your garden.