Typical leaves in the oak family
There are more than 600 species of oak worldwide. The dozen species that can be found in this country all produce slightly different leaves. What they all have in common is the presence of so-called bays. Apart from that, they differed in terms of leaf shape, length and color.
also read
- Blossom of the oak - late bloomer among the trees
- Oak profile - species, occurrence, appearance and Co.
- Oak - what pests dare to attack this large tree?
The leaves of an English oak
The most common type of oak in Germany is the common oak, also known as the German oak. You will surely come across your sheets at some point, so we want to describe them in more detail here.
- are approx. 15 cm long
- have a comparatively short stem
- 4 to 7 postings per sheet side
- the leaf margins are smooth
- Leaf tops are dark green
- In contrast, the undersides of the leaves are blue-green
- in autumn they turn golden brown
This type of oak has a short petiole and is still called pedunculate oak. That's because their acorns hang on a long stile. You are responsible for the naming.
The leaves of a sessile oak
And here are the leaf characteristics of the second most common oak species in Germany:
- funnel-shaped indentations
- Leaves are approx. 20 long and 9 cm wide
- The tops of the leaves are green, the undersides lighter
- New shoots are hairy and reddish
- in autumn they turn yellow
Unknown leaf specimens
The leaves of the different oak species are so diverse that only a tree expert can tell them apart with certainty. If you want to identify discovered specimens more closely, you will find some websites that make this possible based on photos and detailed descriptions.
When do the leaves emerge?
The oak is a deciduous tree that has to form new leaves every year. The old ones turn yellowish brown in autumn and fall off. The sessile oak keeps the dried leaves on the branches until spring, which is why it is also known as winter oak.
New leaves sprout in May, at the same time as flower buds in the mast years. Depending on the weather and location, new shoots can begin in April or in June.
Coating, deformation and premature wilting
Certainly no oak leaf is exactly shaped like the neighboring specimen. But if you have an oak in the garden and many leaves show unnatural deviations, you should take a closer look. Diseases such as powdery mildew and various pests could be responsible. The oak tree may need your help.
The taste of the leaves
Oak leaves are not poisonous, but they taste so bitter that hardly anyone can eat them. They can be dried, ground and mixed with salt in small amounts. The ingredients are intended to be healthy.
