Pedunculate oak Fastigiata Koster

Pedunculate oak Fastigiata Koster (Quercus robur Fastigiata Koster) – a cultivar of deciduous trees of the pedunculate oak Fastigiata form from the Beech family (Fagaceae). The cultivar originated from cloning a pedunculate oak Fastigiata in the Coster nursery (Coster&Co, Sweden). In 2002 the cultivar received the Award of Garden Merit.

It is a deciduous, slow-growing tree 10-13 m in height. The crown is narrow-columnar, 2.5-3 m wide. Scaffold branches grow vertically, almost appressed to the trunk. Bark light gray, fissured. Young shoots reddish-brown, pubescent.

Leaves glossy, dark green above, bluish-green below, firm, almost leathery, oblong-obovate, narrowed or cordate at the base, often with auricles, apex blunt or emarginate, pinnately lobed with four to six lobes, often persisting until spring.

Acorns glabrous, brownish, seated in a cupule forming up to one-third of their length, borne on a long peduncle in groups of 2-6.

Hardiness zone: 5-8 (-29°C).

Location: full sun/partial shade, tolerates high temperatures, winter-hardy, wind-resistant, suitable for urban conditions. Plant in well-lit, wind-sheltered sites.

Soil: requires fertile soil, poorly tolerates excessive moisture. Best grown on deep, fertile, fresh loams and sandy loams; tolerant to salinity.

Planting: in alleys spacing between plants 4 - 5 m, in loose groups 3 - 3.5 m, in dense plantings 2.5-3 m. Planting time: spring - April, autumn - late August - September.

Care: requires no special care.

Diseases and pests: affected by powdery mildew; preventive treatments are recommended.

Propagation: propagated by grafting.

Usage: planted near tall buildings, along wide avenues and roads. Mainly used as solitary specimens or to create dense tall hedges.