Oak Trees — The kings of biodiversity
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Oak trees are known as the kings of biodiversity! They are a living example of the vital link between native trees and balanced localised biodiversity.
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The more ancient an oak becomes, the more life it is able to support. As it moves into the monumental stage the array of cracks and crevices offers a perfect framework for life.
Oaks produce flowers that are eaten by many insects and wildlife such as squirrels, bees and butterflies. The pollen is a favourite of the at risk oak mining bee that feeds almost exclusively on the oak flower pollen.
All parts of the tree support biodiversity - from the tips of the leaves to the bottom of the roots - providing a home for 2,300 species of wildlife including 1,178 invertebrates.
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326 species are entirely dependent on the oak alone and another 229 are rarely found on any other type of tree.31 different mammals feed on the tree’s acorns - including deer, badgers, wild boar, wood mice and squirrels. 39 types of bird feed and nest in the oaks - such as the wood warblers, blue and great tits, tree pipits, redstarts and three types of native woodpecker.
Oaks host a huge 716 types of lichen with 12 being endemic. Sometimes the trees have to reach 250 years old (when the bark becomes suitably dry and brittle) - before being suitable for some of the lichen. The oak also supports up to 108 types of fungi of which 57 are entirely dependent on the uniqueness of the tree.
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