What soil does Sessile oak grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, clay, acidic, calcareous.

Is Sessile oak hardy?

Hardy down to -29 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

How far from the house should Sessile oak be planted?

Plant it at least 15 m from buildings. Keep it at least 4 m from paving.

When does Sessile oak flower?

Flowering: April–May, yellow, green.

How much water does Sessile oak need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: high.

Sessile oak

Quercus petraea

Sessile oak (Quercus petraea) is a large tree. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -29 °C. Drought tolerance: high.

Illustration of Sessile oak — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

A native tree and the main oak of hill and mountain forests: slow to get going but living for several hundred years, a giant that reaches 20 to 40 m with a straight trunk and a regular, rounded crown. It copes better than pedunculate oak with dry, poor, stony soil but dislikes waterlogging; a young tree still needs watering in its first years. It is home to a huge number of insects and birds, but it belongs only in a really large garden or park, well away from the house and from paving. Expect lots of acorns and slow-rotting leaves that partly hang on through winter, and keep the acorns away from dogs.

Watch out for

Since the 2010s the oak lace bug has been feeding on oaks in masses across Central Europe: the foliage fades and yellows by midsummer, and there is practically no control in a home garden. The stinging hairs of oak processionary moth caterpillars cause severe rashes and breathing problems, and nests should be removed by professionals only. Oak powdery mildew can coat young shoots and summer regrowth, although it is less prone to it than pedunculate oak. After several drought years in a row even old trees can decline. Growth is slow in the first years after planting.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: Medium
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 5 m × 3 m
Hardiness: down to -29 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D April–May, yellow, green

All details

Group	Large tree
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	5 m × 3 m
Ultimate size	20–40 m × 15–25 m
Hardiness	down to -29 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Acidic, Calcareous
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	April–May, yellow, green
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	High
Maintenance	Low
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	at least 15 m
Distance from paving	at least 4 m
Litter	Fruit, Leaves
Planting distance	1200 cm
For dogs	Toxic (uncertain)
For cats	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
For children	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	no data

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 17, 2026 · How our data is made

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