Quercus

The Quercus Collection provides a highly valued aesthetic within Melbourne Gardens. Revered for thousands of years in their countries of origin, oaks symbolise strength, endurance and wisdom.  On a practical level, oaks have contributed a great many products for use in society - including for shelter, transport, food, medicine and industry. They are the keystone species in many ecosystems, supporting a plethora of birds, mammals and insects. While growing throughout the Gardens, many of the older, larger oaks are on Oak Lawn. 

• Oak seeds - acorns - are not able to be stored in conventional seed banks because the seed quickly looses its ability to germinate. For this reason, Living Collections, like the Quercus collection at Melbourne Gardens, are important resources for plant conservation. Think of the Oak Lawn as a giant outdoor seed bank that is preserving these species in Australia. This living collection is important for research and conservation of this genus.
• Oaks are considered Keystone Species in many of the worlds ecosystems.
• Around 40% of the worlds oaks are classified as conservation concern. Major threats to oak species globally include land use change, changing climate, and native and non-native pests and diseases. Landscape level changes are often due to habitat conversion for agriculture or unbanisation, logging, or alteration to fire regimes.