Quercus x turneri

Quercus x turneri detail (18/02/2012, Kew, London)

Position: Full sun

Flowering period: Spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 17m

Eventual Spread: 15m

Hardiness: 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b,  11a

Family: Fagaceae

Quercus x turneri is a small/ medium sized, rounded semi evergreen/ evergreen tree. Its  leathery mid green leaves are up to 11cm long, has forward pointing teeth and shallowly lobed and a petiole that is up to 8cm long . The branches are low on the trunk and give the tree its rounded habit. The bark is grey, smooth and becomes shallowly ridged with age. The fruit of the plant is an acorn which is up to 2cm long, with several being borne on a stalk. 

Quercus x turneri, commonly known as Turners Oak, was raised in a nursery by Mr. Turner in Essex in 1783 as a cross between Quercus robur and Quercus ilex. A mature specimen is located at Kew Royal Botanic Gardens and was planted in 1798. This species was not properly named until 1880.

Quercus x turneri (18/02/2012, Kew, London)

The etymological root of the binomial name Quercus is the Latin name for an Oak tree, sometimes authorities derive the word from Celtic, ‘quer’ meaning fine, and ‘cuez’ a tree. Turnei is named after Mr. Turner who raised the hybrid Oak in Essex around 1783.

The landscape architect may find Quercus x turneri useful as an attractive small, evergreen, specimen tree with a domed habit.

Ecologically, Quercus x turneri acorns are eaten by some mammals. The leaves provide food for sap sucking insects which in turn feed birds.

Quercus x turneri prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Quercus x turneri requires little maintenance.