This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)

Quercus cerris L.

In the Nebrodi Park, at over 3.280 ft above sea level, there are some remarkable Turkey oak woods, such as that of “Bosco di Mangalaviti” and “Serra del Re”. In an area that rises between 2.624 and 4.539 ft above sea level, many ancient trees grow along with Turkey oaks, including other varieties of oaks and ash trees.

The Turkey oak (Quercus cerris), or Austrian oak, in particular, is quite common in central Europe and Northern Italy, although is quite rare in Southern areas like Sicily.
Its ideal habitat can be found at lower altitudes than those were holm oaks and beeches grow.

On the Nebrodi mountains, the Turkey oaks can be found, for instance, in the “Mangalaviti Wood”, near Longi (Messina), mixed with beeches, yews, and maples. They also grow on the ridge between Serra Merio and Portella dell’Obolo, in Serra del Re, and along the slopes of Mount Pagano.

Among the territories of Alcara Li Fusi, Randazzo, Caronia, Longi, and Capizzi, there are about ten monumental Turkey oaks, between 200 and 300 years-old; they appear in a fairly good state of conservation. They have been officially catalogued thanks to the “Big trees of the Nebrodi” project.

Botanical card

The Turkey oak is an evergreen tree belonging to the Fagaceae family and native to the Mediterranean area. Thanks to a well-developed root system, it tolerates drought. It can also grow on limestone and compact soil, with no particular needs; on the other hand, it does prefer acidic substrates. In Italy, spontaneous Turkey oaks can be sporadically found in the Po River Valley (where they may have been artificially introduced), and in much larger numbers in Friuli, while they don’t grow in Sardinia.

The Turkey oak is widespread throughout the Italian Apennine Ridge, especially from Tuscany downwards. Unlike other oaks, its wood does not contain tannin and is, therefore, less resistant to moisture and can easily split along its fibres. In the past, timber was used to build railway sleepers, barrel staves or wheel spokes. Today, however, this wood is mostly used for fuel.

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)