Centenarian Plants at Kirstenbosch: English Oak

6. English Oak, Quercus robur
All the English Oaks, Quercus robur, at Kirstenbosch were planted while it was a farm (1820s-1890s). There were more of them 100 years ago; some were felled to make way for the garden, some were destroyed by winter storms and some died of infection by the fungus, Armillaria. The survivors are easy to spot in the spring when their new leaves turn the canopies brilliant green or in autumn-winter when they turn gold.

English Oaks predate the garden – probably planted while it was a farm, 1820s-1890s