Quercus ellipsoidalis (20/10/2012, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun to dappled shade
Flowering period: Spring
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 20m
Eventual Spread: 12m
Hardiness: 4a – 8b
Family: Fagaceae
Quercus ellipsoidalis is a vigorous, medium sized deciduous tree. Its glossy dark green leaves are sharp-lobed with up to 7 lobes, up to 13cm long and 10cm broad. In autumn it leaves turn a bronze red color and are retained on the tree throughout the winter months, these then fall off the tree in early spring. Its green flowers are monoecious, the male appearing as catkins and the female appearing solitary. Its green fruit is an ellipsoid acorn which is up to 1cm long and 2cm broad, these mature to a pale brown. This tree has a deep tap-root and is intolerant of being moved.
Quercus ellipsoidalis Bark (20/10/2012, Kew Gardens, London)
Quercus ellipsoidalis, commonly known as the Northern Pin Oak, Jack Oak or Hill’s Oak, is native to northern mid west USA and south east Canada.
The etymological root of the binomial name Quercus is derived from the Latin name for an Oak tree, but some authorities believe it to be derived from the Celtic quer meaning ‘fine’ and cuez meaning ‘a tree’. Ellipsoidalis is derived from the Latin ellipsois meaning ‘ ellipsoid’, reader feedback on what this refers to would be welcome.
The landscape architect may find Quercus ellipsoidalis useful as an ornamental tree, particularly on sites with poor soils. Once established this tree is quite drought tolerant.
Quercus ellipsoidalis Autumn Leaf (20/10/2012, Kew Gardens, London)
Ecologically, Quercus ellipsoidalis acorns are attractive to some birds and mammals.
Quercus ellipsoidalis prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It is tolerant of infertile sandy soils.
Quercus ellipsoidalis requires little maintenance.
