Turkey oak
| Turkey oak | ||||||||||||||
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| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||
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| Binomial name | ||||||||||||||
| Quercus cerris L. |
The Turkey oak is a large deciduous oak tree native to southern Europe and Asia Minor. The botanic name is Quercus cerris L.
It is now widely planted and is naturalised in much of Europe. This is partly for its relatively fast growth. It is used as an ornamental, and as a coastal windbreak. The timber has many of the characteristics of other oaks, but is prone to split and hence is relegated to such uses as fencing.
A variegated form is often grown in arboretums.
It is a parent of several hybrid oaks, including Quercus x hispanica (Q. cerris x Q. suber).
The name Turkey oak is also commonly used in this form for the American turkey oak (Quercus laevis).