Hungarian Oak

Hungarian oak is the European species with the largest, most deeply lobed leaves in the genus, each leaf eight to ten inches long with deep, rounded lobes that give the foliage an almost tropical boldness. It grows sixty to eighty feet with a broad, rounded crown and the solid trunk structure that makes oaks the structural standard of the tree world. Native to southeastern Europe from Hungary through the Balkans and Italy, it is a common forest tree in warmer, continental climates.

In Western Washington, Hungarian oak is gaining interest as an urban and park tree because of its tolerance for heat, drought, and a range of soils, including the alkaline and clay conditions that trouble many oaks. 'Schmidt' (Forest Green) is the most commonly available cultivar, selected for its dense, glossy foliage and clean form. The fall color is yellow-brown, not spectacular. No significant disease or pest concerns are tracked in this region. For a large, tough, bold-textured shade tree where oaks are wanted but the site conditions exclude the more commonly planted American species, Hungarian oak is a robust alternative.