Armenian oak, Pontic oak casting

• Armenian Oak Origin
• Armenian oak care and location
• Cutting Armenian oak
• Fertilizing Armenian oaks
• Watering Armenian oak

Armenian Oak Origin

The Armenian oak (Quercus pontica), also known as the Pontic oak, is a rare tree species that is little known in Central Europe. Its natural habitat is the Caucasus, primarily in Georgia and northeastern Turkey. There, it prefers mountain forests at altitudes between 800 and 2.000 meters. In Europe, it is only occasionally found in botanical gardens or as a collector's tree in larger parks.

Its distinctive feature is its unusually large, elongated, deeply toothed leaves, which can grow up to 25 cm long—a real eye-catcher in summer and autumn. The Pontic oak grows slowly and usually remains shrub-like, but under optimal conditions, it can reach heights of 10 to 15 meters.

Armenian oak care and location

The Armenian oak prefers cool, moist locations with humus-rich, slightly acidic soil. It thrives in humid environments and therefore thrives in regions with regular rainfall. It tolerates waterlogging and long dry periods less well.

• Choose a partially shaded to sunny location with good drainage.
• The soil should be deep, nutrient-rich and permeable. 
• Slightly acidic to neutral pH values ​​are ideal. 
• A layer of mulch protects the sensitive surface roots and retains moisture in the soil. Because it grows rather slowly and doesn't form a huge crown, it's well-suited as a specimen tree in natural gardens, but also in smaller parks.

Cutting Armenian oak

A Video editing is hardly necessary for the Armenian oak. The natural growth habit develops harmoniously on its own. Only dead, damaged, or crossing branches should be removed – ideally in late winter or early spring. At a young age, training pruning can be beneficial to promote a clear trunk structure and a balanced crown. Be sure to prune sparingly, as the Pontic oak is more sensitive to pruning than many other oak species.

Do Armenian oaks need to be fertilized?

On nutrient-rich soils, the Armenian oak does not require regular fertilizationIf you are planting the tree in poorer soil or want to encourage its development, you can add a dose of compost or horn shavings in the spring.

A thin one mulch layer A compost of leaf litter or bark humus promotes soil structure, protects against drying out, and slowly supplies the soil with nutrients. Mineral fertilizers should be avoided—they are not necessary for this slow-growing species.

Water Armenian oak properly!

In the first years after planting, consistent water supply crucial. The Armenian oak has a fine root system and is sensitive to extreme drought. Regular watering is especially important in hot summers or on lighter soils. Keep the soil slightly moist at all times—not wet, but never completely dry either. Watering is best done in the morning or evening so the water can penetrate deep into the soil and not evaporate on the surface.

The baumbad watering bag is an excellent solution here: Place the bag around the trunk, zip it up, and fill it with 75 to 100 liters of water. This will be released evenly and slowly into the root zone over several hours. This ensures continuous moisture without overwatering. The bag also prevents evaporation on hot days and helps sensitive young trees establish their roots. Even for larger specimens, several bags can be combined.