Oak
Quercus petraea
Sessile oak
Quercus Robur
Pedunculate oak
There are two types of oak found in Rannoch - the sessile oak and the pedunculate oak.
There are large oaks at Carie and Dall and a number of oaks on the way to MacGregor’s Cave.
Sessile oak
The acorns of sessile oak do not have stalks whilst the leaves do have stalks.
Creative Commons - credit Penny Mayes
Acorns are eaten by Jays which hide them in the ground and may forget where they put them so that they are planted and can germinate. Many acorns are eaten by mice, voles and squirrels.
Creative Commons - credit ‘Willow’
The oak is wind pollinated and is a photo of the male catkins which produce pollen that is released into the air.
Creative Commons - credit Margaret R Donald.
Creative Commons - credit Franco Fellini
An Oak Gall or Oak Apple caused by a response to chemicals from a Cynipid gall wasp.
Pedunculate Oak
The acorns of pedunculate oak have stalks but their leaves do not.
Creative Commons - credit Llez
Creative Commons - credit FWilhelm
Unfortunately oaks are susceptible to disease and one that is currently causing trouble I Chronic Oak Decline. The csuses for the disease include a number of both biotic and abiotic factors. Insects, disease, poor soil, difficult weather conditions may all combine to cause a Oak decline.
An oak in winter at Carie showing it covered in lichen.
Oak processionary Moth caterpillars
Creative Commons - credit Luc Hoogenstein
The Oak Processionary Moth was accidentally introduced to the UK in 2005 and is now established in Greater London. Efforts are being made to halt its spread across the country.
The caterpillar strips the leaves from oaks which may then die.
The adult Oak Processionary Moth.
Creative Commons - credit Ben Sale
An oak in winter at Carie showing it covered in lichen.