How to assess an upright english oak?

[Troy2]

 

 

 

Hello, I have this english oak and I don't know if it is an upright variety or not. It is not grafted and it has been kept a fairly windy area.

Other information if it helps:

Bought it 2 years ago it has grown about 1.5m in that time it was just labelled english oak.

[MitchellMc]

Based on the photos and the details you have provided @Troy2, it is unlikely that this is an upright or fastigiate English oak. Upright English oaks are usually specific cultivars, and these are almost always grafted onto standard rootstock. The fact that your tree is not grafted strongly suggests it is a standard English oak grown from seed.

The growth habit you are seeing is also consistent with a young, naturally upright English oak rather than a true columnar form. Young oaks often grow quite vertically in their early years, especially when competing for light or grown in exposed, windy conditions. As they mature, they typically begin to develop wider, more spreading lateral branches. Wind exposure can also encourage stronger vertical growth and reduced lateral branching early on, which can make a standard oak look more upright than it will be long term. Being in a pot would also exacerbate this, as it cannot establish stabilising roots.

True upright varieties tend to have branches that hug the trunk very tightly with a consistent, narrow form from an early age, and I must say that you do have some tight branches.

If left unpruned, you should expect this tree to gradually broaden out over time into a classic English oak shape. If space is limited and you were hoping for a permanently narrow tree, this is worth considering now while it is still relatively young. If you are happy with a large, long-lived shade tree in the future, then it looks healthy and well established and should continue to do very well where it is.

Just for an expert opinion, let me tag @Noelle for her thoughts.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

[Noelle]

Hello @Troy2 

I am inclined to agree with @MitchellMc 's opinion and comments regarding your oak. Those, along with the fact that it was labelled simply as an English Oak would indicate to me that it is not a columnar oak. It's not at all unusual for seedling oaks to grow fairly tall and straight for their first few years, with the more common spreading habit developing as they establish in their permanent positions and send out those stabilising roots Mitchell referred to.

Growing in a large pot may have a "dwarfing" effect in that the roots will be confined and that will also reduce top growth, but generally oaks will not survive long term in containers.

Oaks need large gardens in which to grow to their mature spread and height - they're not really suitable for the average-sized home garden. Their roots may also damage infrastructure as the trees grow.