Quercus alnifolia
Golden oak of cypress, Golden oak
- Height × spread
- 7m × 4m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is a small, rather handsome, slow growing, evergreen tree. It has curious oval leaves which are dark-green above and are yellow felted on their undersides; they are quite hard to the touch. The yellow colour may not develop as well in the northern climate as in its Cyprus homeland. The acorns have been imaginatively described as truncheon-shaped. This is one of those plants whose identity is unlikely to be guessed because it is so entirely different from most other oak trees.
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Fruit colour
- Brown
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 7m
- Spread
- 4m
- Height in 10 years
- 3m
- Spread in 10 years
- 2m
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Architectural
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed young plants with slow release fertiliser
Spread a slow release fertiliser around the base of the plant to the edge of the foliage spread, so that it can feed the roots. It is helpful for this to be applied for several years.
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost until the plant becomes well established.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during dry periods
For plants in the ground, when there has been little or no rain for a period of 7-10 days and the soil is dry, give it a deep watering and repeat weekly until there is a downpour of rain. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Planting & general
Outdoor planting · Planting
Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole
Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.
Planting
Protect & support young trees
Attach a newly planted tree or tall shrub over 1m to a tree stake to give support and prevent windrock. Use a tree guard to stop tree bark being eaten by animals, especially in areas with deer - removing bark injures a tree and in worst case can kill it.
Found in
More Quercus
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Common oak, English oak, Pedunculate oak
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Quercus cerris
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Quercus cerris 'Argenteovariegata'
Variegated turkey oak, Mossy oak, Moss-cupped oak
Quercus coccinea
Scarlet oak
Quercus coccinea
Scarlet oak
Quercus coccinea 'Splendens'
Scarlet oak