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English Oak
Quercus robur
The Oak is our longest-lived and largest tree to be found on the Kinson Common. It has a rounded outline and its trunk is massive and solid. The shape of the leaves are familiar to everyone, also its egg-and-cup fruits known as acorns.
Oaks are dotted around the whole landscape on the Common. Fine stands of old oaks can be observed at Great Oaks, also in an area known as Blanchard`s Copse. The latter named area extended to over three acres in the 1800`s.
Many hundreds of insects prey upon this species more than any other type of tree. One in particular, the Purple Hairstreak butterfly, solely depends upon the oak in its larval state.
The timber of the Oak is highly treasured. Its beautiful hard, very closed- grained wood is one of the most prized of all our native trees. As well as being used in furniture making, there are Oaks beams in houses known to be over seven hundred years old. Inks and dyes have also been produced from this species.
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