European Turkey Oak
Quercus cerris
- Native to:
- Albania, Austria, Bulgaria, Czechia-Slovakia, East Aegean Is., France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Kriti, Lebanon-Syria, NW. Balkan Pen., Romania, Sicilia, Switzerland, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe
Stefanst (en.wikipedia.org) at English Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fagaceae
- Genus:
- Quercus
- Species:
- Quercus cerris
- USDA Symbol:
- QUCE
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- 3500 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Ceratonyx satanaria, Io moth (Automeris io)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Fall Color:
- yellow, brown
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Mature trees can resprout from the root crown following fire. Thick bark provides moderate fire resistance.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- good drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–60 days
- Notes:
- Acorns should be sown fresh in autumn or cold stratified. Germination is hypogeal.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI