Chinese Cork Oak
Quercus variabilis
- Native to:
- China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam
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Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fagaceae
- Genus:
- Quercus
- Species:
- Quercus variabilis
- USDA Symbol:
- QUVA3
Growth Characteristics
- Height:
- 2500 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Fall Color:
- yellow, brown
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Thick corky bark provides excellent fire resistance; resprouts vigorously from base after top-kill. Cork layer is harvested commercially in Asia.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- prefers soils with good organic content
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–42 days
- Notes:
- Acorns germinate readily after cold stratification; sow in fall for natural stratification or refrigerate in moist medium.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI