Pleached Cork Oak - Pleached Quercus Suber

Pleached Cork Oak is an evergreen tree with interesting bark. Botanical name Quercus Suber, these specimens are in pleached tree form, meaning they have a single clear trunk and a square crown on top trained on a bamboo  framework. Pleached Trees are an excellent choice for above fence screens and privacy screens.

Cork Oak is native to the Mediterranean and is used to make the majority of wine corks around the world. It was introduced to the UK in the 17^th century and magnificent mature specimens grow in London’s Chelsea Physic Garden.

Unlike our native oak, cork oak does not drop its leaves in winter, but remains evergreen.  Younger twigs emerge greyish white and older branches deepen to grey. Mature specimens produce peeling knobbly trunks. The mid-green foliage measures around 10 cms in length, varying between oval, rounded and lanceolate. Small flowers appear in spring and acorns late in the summer into autumn.

It’s an interesting choice for above fence line screening and creates a shady area for summer.

Height And Spread of Pleached Cork Oak (Quercus Suber)
Pleached Cork Oak will reach 7-12 metres in height, but can be kept shorter with regular pruning.

How Hardy Is Pleached Cork Oak (Quercus Suber)
This is a hardy tree in the UK if the roots are not waterlogged. Once established it can tolerate some drought.

How To Use Pleached Cork Oak (Quercus Suber)
Pleached Cork Oak is an interesting and effective above fence line screen. Its evergreen foliage will block out neighbours and will help dampen traffic noise in busy areas.
Pleached oak is a tactile tree that provides year-round interest, so it’s a good choice to line a walkway or disguise an ugly shed. Use its touchable bark to create shade for a seating area or a gazebo.

How To Care For Pleached Cork Oak (Quercus Suber)
Pleached Cork Oak grows best in full sun but it will tolerate partial shade. It likes a sunny open position and will grow in the majority of soils and positions including coastal areas.

To maintain the pleached shape this tree will need a yearly prune. Clip back the longest shoots and tie in whippy branches to the training frame. Cut away any dead or crossed branches and tidy up the main shape. This is best done after the acorns have fallen.

Mulch the roots once a year and water well until established.