Sessile Oak and Common Oak
Dair Ghealach agus Dair Ghallda
Latin name: Quercus petraea et Quercus robur
Did you know that the oak tree is known as ‘the king of the forest’?
This deciduous tree grows very slowly, but can live for about 300 years. It can grow up to 40 metres high!
Sessile Oak
Acorns grow on oak trees. Each acron is an oak tree seed. They are kept safe inside a hard shell.
Birds and other animals to carry the acorns away when they fall from the tree. The acorn then grows into a new oak tree.
The leaves of an oak tree have wavy edges. They are dark green and feel very tough to touch. They grow in a circular shape from the stem.
There are two native oak trees in Ireland: sessile oak and common oak.
Both oak trees are very alike. You need to look at the acorns to tell them apart. The acorns on the sessile oak don't have any stalks. The acorns of the common oak do have stalks.
Some of the place names in Ireland are called after the oak tree, or ‘dair’ as it is called in Irish. For example, Kildare is known as ‘Cill Dara’ in Irish. This translates to ‘Church of the oak’.
Can you think of any more?
Did you know that the ancient Celts in Ireland believed that oak trees were very sacred?
The oak tree and the hazel tree were symbols of knowledge. The Celts also believed that doors that were made of oak wood would ward off evil spirits.
Oak Tree
Courtesy of Coillte Teoranta
Courtesy of Coillte Teoranta