English Oak

Audio Narration

Transcript

The English oak is native to the United Kingdom, where it is the national symbol of strength. Roman emperors and other ancient royalty are said to have worn crowns made of oak leaves. Oaks were often the tallest feature in a landscape and would attract lightning strikes during storms, earning them a place in many mythological stories about Zeus, Jupiter and Dagda.

Oak trees produce fruit in the form of acorns. While acorns are for the tree’s reproduction, they are also an important food source for many animals, including birds, mice and squirrels.

Vancouver Island has one native oak species, the Garry oak. While there are no Garry oaks in this park, you can find them in rocky areas like Beachcomber Regional Park and the island of Saysutshun.