Experience the exquisite charm of the Quercus lusitanica, also widely known as Dyer's Oak, Gall Oak, or Lusitanian Oak. This unique oak species boasts its semi-evergreen nature in warmer climates and stands eminent with a deeply fissured brownish-grey bark. This wide-spreading tree grows up to 50 ft tall, donning glossy dark green to grey/green leaves that add an aesthetic touch to any landscape. It can also be considered a shrub tree in its native range, but our collector has fast growing trees that are over 30' tall.
Unlike its relative Quercus robur, it features regular and less deeply lobed leaves and thrives in later autumn color and leaf shedding. Every spring, it surprises with a generous flowering of catkins and plentiful acorns, a visual treat to the beholders. Originally from Morocco, Portugal, and Galicia, Spain, this species is a natural fit for Canberra, where it has performed exceptionally well.
This excellent shade-throwing tree has high tolerance to frost and drought. Preferring well-drained deep fertile loams, it accommodates a range of soils and withstands dry periods better than other oaks. It grows best in full sun, shows low flammability, and a long lifespan.
Suitable for streets, parks, or open areas where solar access in winter is not an issue, as it retains leaves until mid-winter. As an added feature, this tree is a source of commercial nutgalls, which are used for dyeing, transforming it from a marvel of nature to a marvel of utility.