Quercus gilva Seeds | Red-bark Oak
LATIN NAME: Quercus gilva
COMMON NAME: Red-bark Oak
Plant Profile
Red-bark Oak (Quercus gilva) is an evergreen tree of the beech family (Fagaceae), native to Japan, Korea, Taiwan and southeastern China. It reaches 15-25 m, with glossy, leathery, wavy-toothed leaves and reddish-brown bark, bearing acorns in scaly cups. It is a handsome member of the East Asian evergreen oak forests and is planted for shade and timber in its native region.
Science & Biotechnology
The species features in the wider study of the Quercus group, and its traits make it a useful subject for work on germination biology, cultivation and ornamental selection. Evergreen, hairy-leaved habit of red-bark oak gives it a recognised place in research on warm-climate evergreen oaks of great oak group, and gilva species appears in studies of leaf hairs and waxes and year-round crown build. Little about its garden performance is mysterious; it has been grown and observed for a very long time.
Uses & Benefits
Red-bark Oak works well in borders, containers and dedicated beds. In warm garden, red-bark oak mantles warm garden with leathery, dark leaves. Glossy, hairy-backed foliage gives dense shade, acorns feed birds and small mammals, and timber serves building and the furniture. It thrives in deep, moist, well-drained, sunny or lightly shaded ground. Mature plants need little attention in a well-chosen position.
Oaks are ecosystems and medicine at once: oak bark is an official European astringent for skin and throat gargles, acorns fed civilizations once leached of tannins, and each tree supports hundreds of caterpillar species that feed songbirds.
Growing from Seed
Red-bark Oak is one of those generous plants that come along well from seed. Broadcast the seed thinly over a fine, free-draining compost, sieve a little more compost on top, and water with a fine rose. When the young plants are big enough to handle, space them into pots or a nursery row and let them size up before their final move.
Our Take
Being a tall, evergreen tree, it asks for a permanent spot and repays it yearly. Once established, Red-bark Oak largely looks after itself. Plant it in sun with drainage to its liking and the rest is easy.
Related Reading
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