Propagation
Sow fresh seed during autumn in situ or in a deep container and commonly no scarification is required. Maintain a temperature of 19ş to 27ş C. (66ş to 81ş F) during spring and keep moist.

The seeds lose viability quickly so do not allow the seeds to dry out. Plant out as soon as possible as the tree dislikes root disturbance.


Botanic information
Leaf: The leaves are ovate to obovate up to 80 mm (3? in) wide with 5-6 rounded lobes along the undulating margins. The apex is acute and the base is cuneate with a short yellowish petiole up to 20 mm (ľ in) long. During autumn the leaves turn yellowish, then rusty-red before falling.

Flower: The tiny staminate (male) greenish flowers are arranged on a slender pendulous catkin (spike-like) up to 100 mm (4 in) long. The female flowers are solitary or arranged in a small spike appearing in the terminal leaf axils. Both appear on the current or previous season`s growth on the same tree (monoecious) during spring.

Fruit: The sessile green to brown acorn is oblong, up to 20 mm (ľ in) wide and narrowing towards the rounded apex and the ribbed cup-shaped involucre covers one third of the nut from the base. They are arranged in small cluster and maturing in 6-months.


General pruning information
Train to a single leader and cut back unwanted branches to the collar. The crown may be lifted or thinned to allow light to penetrate. Once established they require little pruning apart from removal or dead or damaged branches.