Is Holm Oak invasive in the UK?

[Parker]

Hello

 

I've heard mixed reports on whether Holm Oak is invasive and would like to see what you thought?

 

Due to its native range in Southern Europe this could be a tree that is less susceptible to climate change.....or are the warmer temperatures causing it to become invasive?

 

Cheers in advance

[John Barleycorn]

Something on the radio the other day about it being a problem in the Cheddar Gorge area.

[Parker]

Can you remember any more backandpack? Did they say why it was invasive?

[likeitorlumpit]

does invasive mean that it spreads of its own accord

In which case it most definately is and I've noticed it growing faster in the past 5 years or so.

[Amelanchier]

Coastal Norfolk wouldn't look the same without it - its an essential component of the character of places like Holkham. Consequently I spec it a fair bit.

 

However, in different ecosystems it can dominate and supress other, rarer, species. Defra had planned to add it (and Turkey Oak) to Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 - making it an offence to "...cause it to grow in the wild." Which would have been a problem...

Edited November 19, 2010 by Amelanchier

[Parker]

Yeah thats what invasive means. Where abouts are you likeitorlumpit?

[likeitorlumpit]

Yeah thats what invasive means. Where abouts are you likeitorlumpit?

 

East Kent- Holm Oak loves the coast

[John Barleycorn]

Can you remember any more backandpack? Did they say why it was invasive?

 

Looking at the BBC Radio 4 schedules for this week, I think it was either "saving species, or "Home Planet". You can listen again on the BBC website.

 

Think it was shading out plants & waxy leaves slow to break down.

[Parker]

Cheers for that backandpack! Will try and find it.

[likeitorlumpit]

Coastal Norfolk wouldn't look the same without it - its an essential component of the character of places like Holkham. Consequently I spec it a fair bit.

 

However, in different ecosystems it can dominate and supress other, rarer, species. Defra had planned to add it (and Turkey Oak) to Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 - making it an offence to "...cause it to grow in the wild." Which would have been a problem...

 

Holkham- very nearly an anagram of holm oak

nearly thought it was

Holm hak

I'm going now:biggrin: