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lone_elm_z6

Difference in Quercus Robur and Alba

9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago

I may have an English Oak instead of the White I thought. The leaves from pics look the same to me. What is the difference? The tree is at another property I can't get to for now for pics.

Comments (17)

  • 9 years ago

    The bark is quite different at least, google pictures and compare

  • 9 years ago

    Q. Robur leaves are smaller also, unless they are super small seedlings, maybe you can't tell then. And if acorns are forming the Roburs acorns are held on 2-3 inch long little stems, the Albas are not.

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Acorns are forming his year. I didn't look closely but I think they had the stems. How much bigger are the White Oak leaves? A youngish tree the bark is still smooth.

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I have White oaks and Q. Rubur, they are both young trees. With mine the Q. Alba leaves are about 2-3 times larger. My Q. Roburs leaves are much darker, if I remember correctly, and thicker. I'll try and get a pic of them together soon. I am pretty sure that Q.Robur leaves will always be smaller than a Q. Albas. Well, the stems being present is the best ID I believe.

  • 9 years ago

    Thanks poaky, I am pretty sure it has the long stems, and will be able to confirm in a couple days.

  • 9 years ago

    I am surprised your oak still has smooth bark, but is producing acorns now. I know it's possible, but surprising.

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Poaky1, I was at the property where the Oak is this past weekend. The acorns are freakish, must be -- only two together in the entire tree I could spot. Inch stems. Must be Robur then. I should note, some of the leaves here and there are quite a bit bigger than the English oak leaves round here in London, On. The bark down at the root flare is starting to roughen up, not sure what age that starts.

  • 9 years ago

    Then possibly Q. × bimundorum (alba × robur) or Q. × macdanielli (macrocarpa x robur). They are awfully promiscuous.

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    So smivies, would hybrid Alba/Robur have a mix of large and small leaves, or are the genetics going to be unpredictable. It's early yet to figure out the tree, but would the slightly shorter acorn stems be another sign of mixing? There is nothing in the shape of the leaves that hints at bur oak.

  • 9 years ago

    Really everything about the two is different, as far as it goes - they do not have the same general appearance, and white oak has nice red fall color. If you can't tell from pictures then read some serious descriptions, like those in manuals or at least guidebooks.

  • 9 years ago

    An alba x robur hybrid is generally going to have intermediate characteristics. Things such as leaf size, acorn peduncle length, depth of the leaf sinuses, etc.

  • 9 years ago

    Bimmindors oak is the name of a hybrid between Q Alba and Q. Robur. They sell them at Mossy oak natives nursery. From the picture on the site, the acorn isn't really "hanging" from a peduncle, it's more like a normal Alba acorn joined to the twig, but, the acorn itself is longer like a Q. Robur acorn. They describe the leaves as looking alot like an Alba. They have a picture, but, the leaf is turned to where you can't see it's shape. If it's a hybrid that would explain it's early seeding. Someone on one of these threads mentioned hybrids of a certain variety of trees being sterile, but, in oaks it is said to give then "Hybrid vigor" making them grow and produce seed faster and more abundantly. Lone Elm, could you post a picture? Pure Robur have 2-3 inch stems that are kinda like cherry stems thinnish. Okay, I see above smivies already told you it's Bimmondors if Alba and Robur, I don't feel like starting this post all over. Later Lone elm


  • 9 years ago

    Thanks for the additional information. I forgot to take pics last time I was down there. Next time I will.

  • 9 years ago

    If you are still not sure that the tree in question is a hybrid I can take pics of my Q. Robur and my Q. Alba. But, really look on Mossy oak natives nursery at the Bimmondors oak. That would be the Q. Alba and Q. Robur oak. You can only see the acorns though. But, I really do think that your oak is the Bimmondors.

  • 9 years ago

    It may be the Q. Alba and the Q. Robur that is the Beadles oak.

  • 9 years ago

    English most likely when I looked again, armed with information here. Perhaps maybe the hybrid with white because some of the leaves are intermediate, in size anyway. I was breaking my back digging out stumps when down this weekend and forgot pics yet again.

  • 9 years ago

    I have both trees, I can try to get a pic of both leaves side by side.