Quercus frainetto

Quercus frainetto (synonyms Quercus conferta, Quercus farnetto), commonly known as the Hungarian oak, is a species of oak, native to southeastern Europe (parts of Italy, the Balkans, parts of Hungary, Romania) and Turkey. It is classified in Quercus sect. Quercus.

Description

A large tree which loses its leaves. It grows to 27 m high. The branches fan out to give a large domed crown. The bark is greyish with a network of cracks. The leaves are alternate. They are up to 20 cm long with many deep lobes. The leaves taper towards the stalk. The leaves are dark green above and grey and hairy underneath. The acorn cup has large loose fitting scales.

Edible Uses

The acorn can be eaten raw or cooked. It is a notably large seed — up to 3.5cm long and 1.2cm wide — and can be dried and ground into flour for thickening stews or mixing with cereals for bread. Where bitter tannins are present, they can be leached out by washing thoroughly in running water, though minerals are lost in the process. Whole seeds may take several days or weeks to leach; wrapping them in a cloth bag and placing in a stream is one effective method. Ground meal leaches faster. A taste test confirms when enough tannin has been removed. Traditionally, seeds were buried in boggy ground over winter and dug up in spring once most of the astringency had gone. The roasted seed makes a coffee substitute.

Traditional Uses

The acorns are sweet. They are also processed into flour for bread. The are also ground to produce a coffee-like drink.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

Any galls that form on the tree are strongly astringent and have been used in the treatment of haemorrhages, chronic diarrhoea, and dysentery.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It is native to S.E. Europe. It will grow on all but very wet soils. In Melbourne Botanical Gardens. It suits hardiness zones 7-10.

Where It Grows

Australia, Balkans, Bosnia, Britain, Bulgaria, Europe, Hungary, Italy, Mediterranean,

Cultivation

Prefers a good deep fertile loam which can be on the stiff side. Young plants tolerate reasonable levels of side shade. Tolerates moderate exposure, surviving well but being somewhat stunted. This species thrives in Britain, despite our cooler summers, but it only bears acorns occasionally. The acorns ripen in their first year. Intolerant of root disturbance, trees should be planted in their permanent positions whilst young. Hybridizes freely with other members of the genus. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus.

Propagation

Acorns lose viability quickly if allowed to dry out. They can be stored moist and cool over winter, but are best sown as soon as ripe in an outdoor seed bed with protection from mice and squirrels. Small quantities can be sown in deep pots in a cold frame. Because plants develop a deep taproot early, they should be moved to permanent positions as soon as possible — seed sown in situ produces the best trees. Do not leave trees in a nursery bed for more than 2 growing seasons, as they transplant very poorly after that point.

Other Uses

A mulch of the leaves repels slugs and grubs, though fresh leaves should not be used as they can inhibit plant growth. Seed cups are used as buttons. The bark is a commercial source of tannin, and tannin is also found in the leaves and wood. Oak galls, formed by the larvae of various insects, can be harvested after the insect pupates and leaves — they provide an additional rich source of tannin that also serves as a dyestuff.

Production

Trees grow rapidly.

Notes

There are about 600 Quercus species.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Blagun, Sladun

References (10)

• Coombes, A.J., 2000, Trees. Dorling Kindersley Handbooks. p 162
• Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 1124
• Davison, 1994,
• Fl. napol. 1:lxxii. 1811-1815
• Harris, E & J., 1983, Field Guide to the Trees and Shrubs of Britain. Reader's Digest. p 155

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