Turner's oak - Quercus x turneri

Taxonomy

Kingdom - Plantae.

Subkingdom - Tracheobionta.

Superdivision - Spermatophyta.

Division - Magnoliophyta.

Class - Magnoliopsida.

Subclass - Hamamelididae.

Order - Fagales.

Family: - Fagaceae.

Genus - Quercus.

Species - robur x ilex.

Turner's oak is one of Kew Gardens' Heritage trees and, like the Lucombe oak, was also a cross. It was created by a nurseryman namely a Mr. Turner of Essex, back in the late 18th century via a cross between the English oak - Quercus rober and the Holm oak - Quercus ilex>. It was planted in what was then a 5 acre arboretum in Kew and is still there today at the rear of the Princess of Wales’ conservatory. However it was not designated it's current classification until 1880.

During the ‘Great Hurricane’ of October 16th, 1987, the tree was completely uprooted, exposing it's entire root system, but was replanted in situ which appeared to revive it. The tree may have ben affected due to the surrounding area having, over time, become compacted and causing stress. Kew is now actively using nitrogen gas to de-compact and aerate the root areas as well as regular mulching from Britain's largest compost heap situated adjacent to the Pinetum (where it can be viewed from a special viewing platform) and injecting a 'soup' of mycorrhizal bacteria and fungi.

Turner’s oak is similar to a holm oak being an evergreen, however it tends to lose it's leaves in the Spring as new leaves ape.. It is a small subspecies of Quercus, and has slim serrated leaves, rather than the usual lobed leaves. It reaches a height of 15m, and can only be propagated by grafting. One peculiarity it has is low-lying twisted branches which are a magnet for tree-climbing children, and no doubt certain adults!!!