THIS IS A DRAFT
The species account below is an early version, drafted around 2003. It has been provided here to aid understanding, but please be aware it may not fully tally with the up-to-date map and statistics shown below.
Quercus robur
Pedunculate Oak
Species Details
Pedunculate Oak is a large native tree of woodlands mainly on neutral heavy soils. It is also often planted for timber and amenity in woods, hedges and parks such that its natural distribution is uncertain. It occurs very commonly throughout our area except for the White Peak and the more upland areas of the Dark Peak areas where it is rare. Its common occurrence probably goes a long way to explain its frequency in local place names such as at Oakerthorpe, and in local customs such as well dressing and Oak Apple Day that is still celebrated in Castleton (Mabey 1996).