Curiosities of the Holm Oak, Fruits, Habitat and Uses

The Holm Oak, is a noble tree native to the Mediterranean areas, capable of adapting to extreme conditions, it is a very resistant small giant as well as long-lived, known as the shade tree. In this article we will present its characteristics, cultivation, care and use, you can learn all that and more here, so go ahead and continue reading.

La Encina

This giant but small shade tree called Encina, more popularly known as holm oak, chaparra or chaparro, has great foliage which makes it a majestic plant. It is native to the Mediterranean. It treasures special properties in terms of resistance, as it is capable of surviving the ravages of the climate, a fruit well known as acorn and one of the best woods. It has become a key piece in the fight against global warming, thanks to its great production of oxygen and absorption of carbon dioxide.

Common name

The Encina is the most characteristic tree in Spain. This specimen is given a name in each region, so we present a list of the most common.

La Terrona in Zarza de Montanchez, in Cáceres, Spain.
Tres Patas de Mendaza, in Navarra, Spain.
Encina de la Peana, in Serón, in the Province of Almería, Spain.
Holm oak of Nutxes de Jijona, in Alicante, Spain.
Holm oak of Culla, in Culla, in the Province of Castellón, Spain.
Chaparro of the Vega de Coripe, in Seville, Spain.
The Marchioness in Navalmoral de la Mata, Cáceres, Spain.
La Nieta in the term of Torre de Santa María, in Cáceres, Spain.
Oak of the Virgin in Cordobilla de Lácara, Badajoz, Spain.
Encinar de Camparañón, in Soria, Spain.
Millenary or of the Thousand Sheep of the Alcudia Valley, Ciudad Real, Spain.

Sacred tree

The Encina tree was a revered plant in ancient times as it represented strength, stability and longevity. There are strong legends that relate that the cross where Jesus was crucified was made of wood from the Encina. Just like the club of Hercules. This tree was used to carry out certain cults of Celtic mythology during the Iron Age, where polytheism was practiced and the priests used it to apply knowledge of healing and prediction due to the great energy that these tended. This species has been given great cultural importance, in terms of poems, songs, riddles, paintings, among many others.

Description

The Holm Oak, whose scientific name is Quercus ilex, is a tree, it belongs to the Fagaceae family, since its fruits are of the legume type, which can reach between 16 and 25 meters in height, capable of preserving its foliage throughout the year. , for this reason it is among the evergreen, with shrubby characteristics, since its crown becomes very large, wide, rounded and flattens over time. Its hard and leathery leaves can remain intact for up to 4 years. They are small, their blade is dark green on the upper side, and the underside is lighter and tomentose, covered with a thin grayish blade, which prevents transpiration and evaporation of water, retaining it longer and thus surviving high temperatures. temperatures.

As for the flowers of the Holm Oak, these usually appear between the months of March and May, which are of the monoecious class that appear in catkins in a grouped form and in large clusters, which are presented erect and then become pendants. . They have a varying tonality starting from yellow, going through orange to finish in brown and are distributed throughout the treetop in the case of males. However, the female flowers of this plant are smaller and grow in isolation, which also vary in color, starting from red and later changing to orange.

The trunk of the oak is smooth, with a greyish-green tone, strong and robust, which as time goes by gets darker until it is almost black and large cracks begin to form. The fruit is known as an acorn which has an oblong and pointed shape that is born alone or in pairs.

Oak Longevity

The Holm Oak is a kind of tree that grows slowly, which means that it reaches its development in a period of 40 to 50 years, which is when they reach a height of 25 meters. Its large and bushy crown facilitates the growth of grass around it, making it the ideal place for animals.

Types of Oaks

Two subspecies of the Encina tree can be found: Quercus ilex L. subsp, better known as Encina, its leaves are large, very similar to laurel, its crown is longer giving a straighter appearance, its fruits are bitter acorns . And the Quercus ilex L. subsp. ballota (or rotundifolia), with sweet acorn fruit, has oval-shaped leaves with spiny margins, this species is the most resistant. It is popularly known as Holm oak, its glass is more rounded and reaches less height.

Distribution

The Encina, is distributed in the Mediterranean area, mostly in the Iberian Peninsula. This species adapts very well to climates with long periods of drought, since its leaves allow it to store water. In Spain it is one of the trees that occupies the largest amount of forest land. The area where it is best located is in the limestone lands, where the soil is sufficiently dry, forming large and impenetrable forests, with immense thorny climbers. These forests are known by the name of Cantabrian oaks, which are areas with greater protection of nature reserves.

Fruits of the Oak

The fruit generated by the Holm Oak is the acorn, which contains a seed with a strong pericarp, with a set of bracts that surrounds or envelops an organ of the plant called the involucre. They usually fall near the tree where their shell softens so that the seed can germinate. They are large, shiny brown when ripe. They present a dome formed by bracts that cover a third of the acorn with a pointed apex. The ripening time of this fruit is from October to November and they tend to fall until the month of January. Up to 20 kilos of acorns can be shed from it. She serves as food for certain animals such as pigs, rabbits, partridges and pigeons that travel a number of kilometers to enjoy this delicacy.

People also benefit from this fruit by consuming them either raw or roasted. Although keep in mind that not all acorns are consumable. There are some sweet and others bitter, this will depend on the species where they come from, so it is not recommended to consume the bitter ones because they have a high tannin content, which can be indigestible, so it is better to consume the sweet acorns. The consumption of acorn in a prudent way can help lower cholesterol levels, detoxify the body thanks to the amount of antioxidant it contains.

Fruit preservation

This fruit can be kept for a while since its shell preserves it from bacterial attacks. It is ideal to clean them and place them in breathable bags in a cool, semi-shaded and dry place, as they are prone to fungi if they are in contact with moisture during storage, which are highly toxic due to the production of aflatoxin or toxicogenic fungus, which it is highly harmful to humans as it directly affects the liver, so it is recommended that its storage not be for very long periods. For better preservation, it is suggested that the ambient temperature of the storage place be below 25 degrees with good ventilation, with some light and totally dry.

Uses of the Oak

The Holm Oak has various properties, ranging from the use of its wood to medicinal. Here we present its different utilities. As for its wood, it is used in the lumber industry, for the elaboration of floors, handles for tools and other pieces that require strong wood. It should be noted that this wood is not easily malleable, but it is highly resistant. As for its nutritional use, the fruit is consumed by people as a dry or ground fruit to make bread, as a substitute for coffee or to make gelatin (in Korea). If it is going to be consumed raw, its consistency is very similar to chestnuts, but it should not be consumed in large quantities as it can be indigestible, nor on an empty stomach.

It is also used to feed cattle and pigs. Its utility as fuel is used for fireplaces and as charcoal since it has the advantage of giving off a lot of heat, generating a good fire. The bark of this species is used to tan animal skins, thanks to the substance called tannin. As for medicinal use, joining bark, acorns and leaves is ideal as an astringent and healing agent.

Medicinal use

Its medicinal quality lies in the amount of tannin and cuercetanic acid it has. Among the conditions are: Inflammation of the intestine, tannin helps to deflate the intestine and reduce pain. For this, it is recommended to take 1 tablespoon before bed for a period of 7 days. An infusion is made with the bark sweetened with honey. For cases of indigestion, it allows to significantly improve the digestive process, for this the acorns are ground very finely and a kind of coffee is prepared.

More than two cups a day is not recommended. For diarrhea it is very useful for its property of blocking intestinal secretion. For this, an infusion is prepared by placing one or two dry leaves for each cup of boiling water, if possible, consume them a little before each meal.

In the case of using the Holm Oak for external conditions, thanks to its antibacterial properties, it is used for the treatment of eczema, which usually appear on the knees, elbows, feet or hands. To treat it, a decoction is made with an average of 4 tablespoons of minced bark per liter of water, this preparation is placed in the form of a compress on the affected area. To treat sore throat and pharyngitis, gargles are performed with the infusion of the bark, without swallowing the liquid.

In the case of hemorrhoids, it is recommended to make seat baths for a few minutes with 3 tablespoons of bark for every liter of water. In the treatment of wounds it is very appropriate for its sterilizing property, as well as for the treatment of varicose veins that produce varicose ulcers.

To treat inflammation of the uterus, the Enzyme bark is also highly recommended, doing vaginal douches, as well as vaginal itching or itching, it helps in relieving symptoms used externally with compresses or vaginal baths. For chilblains, it is used as a way to relieve the symptoms of this condition with warm infusion baths of both hands and feet.

When hemorrhages occur, it is used by grinding leaves with a piece of bark until a paste is obtained, to place it in the affected area. As a cosmetic it is recommended for skin care, especially for acne. Likewise, it can be used to cure gingivitis or oral bleeding. When nasal bleeding occurs, due to its astringent property, it is ground very finely and a pinch is inhaled.

But attention for any of these uses it is necessary to consult a doctor for the adverse reactions that may be had. Although it is not considered a toxic plant, it is not recommended to use it in high doses, since it can cause vomiting and symptoms of gastritis, so it should be used with caution.

Plagues and diseases

This leafy, strong and resistant tree, which abounds in much of the Mediterranean and the Iberian Peninsula, is in danger thanks to its vulnerability to certain excessive attacks by pests and diseases. Here we present some of them and how to combat them.

Diseases

One of the main diseases that tend to affect the Holm Oak is leaf spot or better known as scab, whose scientific name is Cycloconium quercus-ilicis, this fungus affects the upper part of the leaf with dark spots and a yellow halo, which ends up forming a crust on the cuticle of the leaf, which is called scab, and ends up causing defoliation. The cause of this condition is attributed to climatic conditions and to combat it, it is recommended to carry out preventive treatments with copper-based fungicides at the end of autumn and the beginning of winter and spring, in this way the healthy life of this tree can be ensured.

Another condition of this species is "dry", this disease causes the weakening and death of this tree, as it aggressively causes defoliation, which occurs when the fungus called phytophthora, scientifically known as Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands, begins to rot the roots which prevents the absorption of water and nutrients. This makes it extremely difficult to apply treatments by location. This condition is considered one of the most harmful in the world, becoming an ecological threat.

To recognize that you are in appearance of this evil, it is enough to observe that the top of the tree begins to become lighter and its leaves begin to fall for what is considered a sudden death. The appearance of this fungus is common when the tree is over a flood. To do this, it is advisable to avoid paths, passing vehicles and tilling near these specimens.

The fungus Taphrina kruchii (Vuill.) Schroet, usually infects the fruit of the Holm Oak and the branches that support them. The blooms on the branches are usually more chlorotic, becoming what is known as a witch's broom that gradually loses color until it defoliates. We can also find conditions caused by Armillariella mellea, it tends to rot the roots and later the branches, at the same time it begins to produce a black liquid. When the disease reaches the trunk, lesions such as cracks begin to be observed, causing the bark to detach easily.

The Holm Oak can also be affected by the Hypoxylum mediterraneum, or diplodia, which is an anamorphic fungus that causes serious damage when improper pruning is carried out and outside the ideal time to do it, which directly affects the peduncle, since it softens. This condition appears due to excess humidity or sudden changes in environmental temperature. The use of fungicidal treatments preventively.

Pests

Tortrix viridana butterfly: It is among the different pests that can seriously affect the Holm Oak. This caterpillar causes great destruction in the shoots and therefore defoliation. This lepidoptera is considered the pest with the greatest impact on these specimens, causing holes in the bud that, when opened, form a kind of shelter. The females lay up to three eggs covered with scales and bark debris so they remain the same color as the female, making detection difficult.

When this happens later, the flowering process does not take place. To combat this pest, it is recommended to do it while it is in a caterpillar state. Insecticides based on organophosphates, pyrethroids or carbamates can be used in dust form during sunrise or sunset and with little wind.

Lymantria dispar: it is another of the pests that causes severe damage to the Encina tree. This species of butterfly has very peculiar characteristics such as: it is considered polygamous par excellence, that is, it feeds on a wide variety of things, eating almost twice its weight. Their eggs are deposited on branches and trunks while covering them with a certain hairiness. The damage to the Holm oak is produced by the larva that feed on both the buds and the leaves, which causes defoliation.

In Spain it is estimated that every seven years this plague increases in numbers, which causes great damage to this tree. For its control, it is ideal to use products formulated based on Bacillus thuringiensis and chitin synthesis inhibitors.

catocala nymphagoga: it is considered within the list of the most destructive pests of the Holm Oak, since it is highly destructive, its larvae consume almost all the foliage of the previous flowering, leaving the tree completely bare, it is capable of adopting the color and appearance of the twigs , staying immobile for a long time, during its larval stage it appears hanging by a thread.

Cerambyx pig: these insects lay their eggs inside the bark or thick branches, they usually look for trees that are already in decline, making large galleries which accelerates the decomposition process and therefore destroying all the timber-yielding part of the space. One of the causes of the greatest attack on Holm Oaks is inadequate pruning, which guarantees this pest to enter more easily. It should be noted that despite the risk that this pest represents for Holm Oak trees, in 1988, it was declared a vulnerable species, becoming a protected insect.

Scolytus intricatus: It is among the genus of borer beetles and can destroy trees by spreading elm graphiosis, which is a fungal disease. It enters through the buds, but is capable of piercing the trunk, roots and even the leaves. It lays its eggs in the galleries, which later become caterpillars with a whitish body and a brown head.

His favorite food is trees in a sick condition. The adults have the property of piercing the bark until they reach the living layer of the trunk, making large galleries, which are then thickened by the larvae. These actions kill the tree quickly. To control it, the trees that are strongly affected must be destroyed and chemical treatments must be applied to the surrounding specimens.

Coelides ruber: This species of pest usually feeds on the spongy plant tissue, which is filled with living cells. These interstices, that is, the equal parts of the same sheet left by the vessels and that can have different functions depending on their location, such as photosynthesis or the reserve of substances.

Operophtera brumata or winter moth: It is a butterfly that comes from caterpillars that move to the ground through silk threads. The eggs are deposited in the cracks of the trunk and as well as in the branches. These caterpillars appear in the foliage in the form of a spiral, and penetrate the bud, eat the flowers and leaves. To recognize if this plague lives in the tree, it is simply necessary to visualize if the partially eaten leaves are joined together by means of a silk fabric, this produces a serious defoliation in the Holm Oak.

Singular Oaks

La Terrona oak in Zarza de Montanchez (Cáceres, Spain). Considered the largest oak in Spain and possibly in the entire world.
Encina Tres Patas de Mendaza, in Navarra, Spain
Encina de la Peana, in Serón, province of Almería, Spain.
Holm oak of Nutxes de Jijona, Alicante, Spain
Holm oak of Culla, in Culla, Province of Castellón, Spain.
Chaparro de la Vega de Coripe Seville, Spain
The Marchioness in Navalmoral de la Mata Cáceres, Spain.
La Nieta in the term of Torre de Santa María Cáceres, Spain.
Oak of the Virgin in Cordobilla de Lácara Badajoz, Spain.
Oak from Camparañon Soria, Spain.
Millenary Tree or of the Thousand Sheep of the Valley of Alcudia Ciudad Real, Spain.

Reforestation

The species of the Encina, is a tree that has slow growth. Certainly, the germination of the seed may seem fast, since in a few months the sprout can be observed, but it can take years for it to reach a meter in height. If you want to speed up the process and make it grow 10 centimeters a year, it should be colored in the shade. For this species, transplants are not recommended, so it is suggested to plant them directly in the place where they will occupy the rest of their life.

For this reason, the acorn seeds should be planted at the same time as they are harvested, always trying to place more quantity, since it must be taken into account that this fruit is part of the diet of many animals. There is also the possibility of natural regeneration, which, thanks to the jay, which is a species of bird typical of the old world, may be able to carry the acorn up to two kilometers away for consumption, but some remain and can reach to germinate

For this reason, the work of this bird is of great importance in the reforestation of this species and for this an adequate environment must be created where there are enough Holm Oak trees that generate enough fruits and rocks to serve as a hiding place and thus be able to maintain the process. of natural reforestation.

Curiosities

In ancient history, the Encina tree was respected and revered. According to their beliefs, the gods lived in it, so this specimen became the altar for certain rites. Touching its wood was a symbol of good luck, since it attracted positive energies, hence the saying "knock on wood", it also served to drive away all negative forces and diseases. It was also used as a symbol of protection. In the iron age, the Celts affirmed that the Encina housed a great amount of energy thanks to the moon, the sun and the earth, for being so leafy and strong, for which they symbolically embraced it as a way of injecting energy, holding meetings important around you.

The Encina tree is often confused with the oak, since the two are of the same genus, but the latter is more abundant. Another reason is that in English the Encina is "oak" equal to the denomination given to the oak. Among the curious data of this species is that while its growth is visualized slow, it turns out that the Holm Oak is growing in roots, that is, while a plant shoot that can barely measure one centimeter appears, its root can already reach up to 1,5 or 2 meters this is in search of water, in order to withstand periods of drought.

To learn more about the Encina, I invite you to watch this video: