Adress
Hippodrome de Boitsfort
Uccle / Ukkel
GPS coordinates :
50.7939
, 4.3935
Scientific inventory
Identity
Category :
Arbre remarquable
Latin name :
Quercus robur
French name :
Chêne pédonculé
Dutch name :
Zomereik
English name :
English/Pedunculate oak
Family :
Fagaceae
Height :
28 m
Targeted height :
This species can grow up to 30–35 m
Diameter of the crown :
24 m
Trunk circumference :
502 cm
Expected circumference :
1000 cm
Expected longevity :
Can live for 1000–2000 years
Origin / Indigenous
From central Spain through to southern Scandinavia, and from Ireland through to Russia
Favorite soil :
Likes well-aired soils, loose, fresh, fertile, deep and well-drained
Favorite climate
Temperate, cool, sensitive to frost
Usefulness and services of the tree :
Enhances the landscape :
+++
Enhances the biodiversity :
+++
Provide oxygen :
++
Purify the air :
++
Filter the water :
+
Prevents flooding :
ø
Stores carbon :
Softens the climate :
+
Limits soil erosion :
Does good, heals :
+++
Belgian Federal State Collection on permanent loan to the Meise Botanical Garden: Chaumeton, Flore médicale, pl. 114, 1829
Features and characters of the individual
This tree is one of the oldest oaks in the inventory of remarkable trees. Starting its life in a forest about 400 years ago, today it sits in the middle of Hippodrome of Boitsfort’s golf course. Despite its age, it is still a force of nature: a pillar between heaven and earth. A hollow descends along its trunk and the tree has also lost some of its main branches, yet it still remains very strong. Who knows how it is so strong! Isolated in an open space, it was probably struck by lightning at some point during its history. Perhaps it captured and wielded the energy from a lightning strike, as older ancient civilisations believed? For the Celts, oak trees were a symbol of power and eternity. The Greeks, Scandinavians and Germans all associated it with gods who mastered lightning and thunder. This veteran of the Hippodrome therefore commands respect. Golfers appreciate its presence. Who would dare provoke the wrath of the gods?
