Quercus bimundorum Crimson spire

Quercus bimundorum Crimson Spire is a very beautiful columnar oak tree, perfect for avenues or as a standalone specimen. It quickly reaches a height of 10m (33ft) and can grow up to 15m (49ft) when mature, while its narrow width (3m (10ft) after 10 years, 5m (16ft) at maturity) makes it suitable for planting in even small gardens. Its beautiful green foliage turns to orange-red in autumn, transforming this oak tree into a colourful torch as winter approaches. The marcescent leaves persist on the branches until new shoots emerge in the following spring. With fast growth and good resistance to diseases that can affect certain oak trees, it is a variety to prioritise in the garden.

Oak trees belong to the Fagaceae family, which includes other noble tree species such as chestnuts and beeches. These trees have great ecological importance in their natural habitat, and humans owe them a lot on an economic level (land constructions, ships...). The Quercus genus is so rich that entire books are dedicated to it; in addition to the deciduous species that are familiar to us, there are also evergreen species with a surprising diversity of forms. In temperate climates, European oaks are traditionally distinguished from American oaks, but some species grow as far as the tropical regions of Asia.
Quercus x bimundorum Crimson Spire is a hybrid between European and American oaks that has taken the best features from both parents. Morphologically very similar to the European Quercus robur 'Fastigiata', from which it borrowed its columnar habit, it also benefits from the rich orange-red autumn foliage of its American parent, Quercus alba. It is also resistant to mildew and powdery mildew, allowing it to maintain healthy foliage throughout the season.
This tree should be planted in a sunny location with moist, neutral pH soil. It is highly frost resistant, down to -25°C (-13°F) and will thrive in any good garden soil with sufficient nutrients, as long as it does not dry out in summer.

The 'Crimson Spire' oak has an interesting architectural habit for French or contemporary gardens. In its young age, it forms a well-defined column, measuring 10m (33ft) in height and 3m (10ft) in width at 10 years old. It then slightly widens to take on an oval shape, forming a tree that is 15m (49ft) tall and 5m (16ft) wide, ideal for bordering a pathway, being the centrepiece of a bed, or as a specimen in a lawn. The leaves have indistinct lobes and are dark green in colour. In autumn, they gradually turn orange-red, and even purple.
It can be happily associated with other woody plants with yellow or golden foliage, such as the Cercis 'Hearts of Gold', whose pretty heart-shaped leaves change colour throughout the year (from red to lime green to yellow) and will stand out in terms of shape and shade compared to our oak tree. A golden Physocarpus will also be a great companion to create a contrast of colors...
Its elegant and regular shape will blend harmoniously with other woody plants shaped into topiaries (cushions, cloud-shaped trees...) in gardens where overall volumes and shapes take precedence over the individuality of each plant.