‘Fastigiata’ or Upright English Oak is an upright, columnar, deciduous tree that matures into a dense elongated oval shape with a short trunk and makes a striking landscape specimen. It is susceptible to powdery mildew in humid areas and planting in full sun with adequate airflow helps decrease this problem. The cultivar 'Attention' is more resistant and is also columnar. Plant in full sun in well-drained acidic or slightly alkaline soil. This tree is tolerant of salt, drought and urban conditions. Use as a hedge or as a specimen in small areas where wide branching is a concern. Propagation is from seed but doesn't always grow true. It is a host plant for the larvae of the Imperial moth ( Eacles imperialis ), as well as numerous butterflies, including Banded hairstreak ( Satyrium calanus ), Edward's hairstreak ( Satyrium edwardsii ), Gray hairstreak ( Strymon melinus ), White-m hairstreak ( Parrhasius malbum ), Horace's duskywing ( Erynnis horatius ), and Juvenalis duskywing ( Erynnis juvenalis ). More information on Quercus robur .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Often confused withQuercus Kindred Spirit® 'Nadler'
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
12-24 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 50 ft. 0 in. - 60 ft. 0 in. | Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
1 - Canopy (>40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Columnar; Erect
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Blue; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Oblong; Obovate
Leaf margin
Lobed
Leaf value
Long-lasting; Showy
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, 3-6 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Short-stalked, dark green leaves are 4-8 inches long and 2-4 inches wide. Margins have 3–7 blunt lobes per side and are blue-green beneath. Leaves persist into winter. Fall color is copper.
Fall color
Brown/Copper
Flower color
Brown/Copper; Gold/Yellow
Flower form
Catkin; Insignificant
Flower detail
Male and female flowers are on the same tree. Male pollen flowers in long catkins.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Nut
Fruit size
1-3 inches long
Fruit detail
1-3 in. brown oval acorn
Bark color
Dark Brown
Bark detail
The dark brown bark is deeply ridged and furrowed on mature trees
Stem detail
Current years twigs are reddish-brown
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Europe
Wildlife value
Mildly resistant to deer damage. Acorns eaten by many birds and mammals.
Attracts
Butterflies; Moths; Small Mammals; Songbirds
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall
Fruit type
Nut
Edibility
Acorns are edible once the tannins have been leached or boiled out
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Lawn; Patio; Small Space; Walkways
Landscape theme
Cottage Garden; English Garden; Pollinator Garden; Winter Garden
Design feature
Mass Planting; Screen/Privacy; Small groups; Specimen; Street Tree