Hungarian Oak (Quercus frainetto 'Schmidt' FOREST GREEN) is a majestic deciduous tree native to Italy, Hungary, the Balkans, and the Black Sea region, bringing Old World elegance to North American landscapes. This large oak typically reaches 50 to 80 feet tall in cultivation, with a broad, symmetrical crown and distinctive deeply lobed leaves that can stretch 6 to 10 inches long. Winter hardy in zones 6 through 8, it combines striking architectural presence with impressive drought tolerance once established, making it a powerhouse for landscapes that demand both beauty and resilience. The tree flowers inconspicuously in spring (April to May) but produces showy fruit, adding seasonal interest after the blooms fade.
Full Sun
Moderate
6-8
960in H x 720in W
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Moderate
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Hungarian Oak earns its reputation through an uncommonly symmetrical, broad-rounded form that stands out among oaks for its refined silhouette. The crowded, large lobed leaves create dense, attractive foliage, and once the tree settles into your landscape, it becomes remarkably self-sufficient, tolerating arid conditions and handling clay soil with aplomb. This is a tree that rewards patience with decades of structural beauty and a crown so architecturally pleasing that it needs little fussy intervention to look extraordinary.
Hungarian Oak serves two primary roles in landscape design: as a striking shade tree for parks and large residential properties, and as a street tree where its refined crown form and tolerance for urban conditions make it a capable performer. Its broad canopy and sturdy branching structure provide substantial shade while its moderate drought tolerance and low maintenance needs reduce long-term care burdens in established landscapes.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Hungarian Oak naturally develops its attractive symmetrical form with minimal intervention. Remove any crossing or damaged branches in winter or early spring while the tree is dormant. Avoid heavy pruning; this oak's broad-rounded crown forms its architectural character through natural growth, so focus on structural cleaning rather than reshaping.
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“Quercus frainetto carries the names of two regions that shaped its identity: Hungarian oak and Italian oak, reflecting its native range stretching across central and southeastern Europe from Italy through Hungary to the Balkans and the Black Sea. The 'Schmidt' FOREST GREEN cultivar represents a selected form bred for ornamental strength, chosen for its particularly attractive symmetry and vigor in cultivation. This tree arrives in North American gardens as a living bridge to European forestry and landscape traditions, where its stature and form have been valued for generations.”