Pedunculate oak near Gernsdorf

The pedunculate oak with its gnarled, wide-spreading and often horizontally protruding branches forms a mighty, irregular and strongly annoying crown. Usually she is up to 500 years old; However, 700- to 1200-year-old trees should also be possible. The stature height is 30-35 m, in exceptional cases 60 m. Thanks to a long, deep and strong taproot, the tree has a very good resistance to storms.
In the youth of the oaks have a rapid height growth, which is completed at 100-200 years. The growth in thickness, on the other hand, persists. Often a few meters above the ground many branches spring from the trunk, which, if not cut, give the tree an almost two-storey appearance.In youth, the tree has a smooth, shiny and brownish to whitish-gray bark. It later turns into a dark brown to blackish and elongated bark.At the end of new shoots lie in clumps alternately arranged, 6-16 cm long and very short-stalked leaves. Together with the leaves, loosely flowering, 2-5 cm long, yellowish-green, narrow and hanging male kittens appear in May of last year's shoots. Above them, at the neuter, are first followed by some leaves and then the female inflorescences.In the late summer, the ovate shaped, starchy and rich in tannins mature and lonely fruits. They were used roasted as a coffee substitute, for the extraction of spirits and in exceptional times of need also for the preparation of bread.

The circular route around Gernsdorf is worthwhile.

The Tree of the Year 1989 in an open area.