Durmast Oak

Quercus petraea

Native to:
Albania, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Corse, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Krym, Lebanon-Syria, Netherlands, North Caucasus, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Poland, Romania, Russia, Sicilia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Ukraine

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Fagaceae
Genus:
Quercus
Species:
Quercus petraea
USDA Symbol:
QUPE2

Growth Characteristics

Height:
4000 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Medium
Bloom Months:
apr,may

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:
★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Automeris zephyria, Phyllonorycter harrisella, Phyllonorycter heegeriella, Pink-striped oakworm moth (Anisota virginiensis), Winter moth (Operophtera brumata)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
birds, small mammals, invertebrates
Fall Color:
yellow, brown
Fire Ecology:
Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
Fire Notes:
Resprouts vigorously from the root crown and stump after fire. Thick bark provides some fire resistance in mature trees.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
fertile, well-drained loamy soil
pH:
4.5 - 6.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
prefers upland areas with good aeration

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Cold/moist stratification required — 90–120 days
Germination Time:
30–60 days
Notes:
Acorns should be sown fresh in autumn or cold stratified. They lose viability quickly if allowed to dry out.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI