Nothofagus obliqua
Roblé
a perennial woody deciduous member of the Nothofagus genus in the family Fagaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Fagaceae
- Genus
- Nothofagus
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- deciduous
- Woodiness
- woody
- Growth rate
- vigorous
- Height
- 20 m
- Spread
- 15 m
- Fertility
- Wind
- Flower type
- monoecious
- Pollinators
- Wind
Uses
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
A fast growing tree, it can be used as a hedge or windbreak[3]. Another report suggests that it is not a good wind resister[2]. Wood - heavy, hard, durable, very good quality. Used for furniture, ship-building, interior joinery. A very good fuel[2][6].
- Product or use
- Fuel
- Product or use
- Wood
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Canopy
Environment
- Range
- S. America - Chile to Argentina.
- Habitat
- Forests between latitudes 41°s and 38°s[2].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 7+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cool greenhouse or cold frame. Spring-sown seed requires 2 - 3 months stratification at 1 - 5°c[5]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in the cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. The seed must not be allowed to dry out according to one report[8] whilst another says that the seed can be stored dry at 2°c for long periods[5]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 6 - 10cm with a heel, July/August in a frame[7]. Layering.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Prefers an open well-drained loamy soil in a sunny position[1][5]. Succeeds on most soils, including sandy ones[3], but dislikes calcareous soils[2]. Prefers a pH between 5 and 7, but dislikes acid peats[5]. Plants can be damaged in severe winters when young but they become hardier with age. They succeed at Crarae in western Scotland[4]. Prefers a cool wet summer in a temperate maritime climate[5] but it also does well in a Mediterranean climate with as little as 400mm of rain a year[5]. A very ornamental tree[1], it often self-sows in Britain[2]. Responds well to coppicing[2]. Trees have poor wind resistance in Britain, probably because they grow so fast[2]. Trees up to 4 metres tall can be successfully established, though the optimum size for transplanting is about 30 - 80cm. The roots are very sensitive to desiccation and extreme care should be taken when moving plants[5]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[5].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7
Letter from Crarae Garden, March 1993. - 1993-00-00
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00
McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-901361-21-6