Adress
Parc Jacques Brel Forest
GPS coordinates :
50.8031 , 4.3229
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 :
40 m
Targeted height :
This species can grow up to 30–35 m
Diameter of the crown :
20 m
Trunk circumference :
602 cm (two 350 cm trunks)
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 :
+++++++++
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 also known by some as the ‘double oak’ due to its enormous twin trunks. They soar straight up, in search of light. Their size and height is impressive. However, this tree is not as well-known as the Joséphine oak, its neighbour, which admired by all as the veteran of the region. This ‘double oak’ lives in the woods, close to a strange, abandoned pavilion at the edge of the railway. Its powerful roots point out in all directions. They undoubtably come close to the roots belonging to its older neighbour. The branches of the two biggest oaks in the region must skim past each other without touching, as if out of respect or modesty. They communicate both through the air and through the ground below the forest. We don’t quite catch their messages to each other though.