An overview of ecology and silviculture of indigenous oaks in France

There are nine species of oaks in French forests: Quercus petraea, Q robur, Q pubescens, Q pyrenaica, Q ilex, Q rubra, Q suber, Q coccifera and Q cerris. Among them, five are of major economic and ecological importance, either because of the quality and value of their wood or because of their geographic extension, or both. Two of these species are widespread in the hills and plains of the Atlantic and of the mid-European domains: Q petraea (sessile oak), and Q robur (pedunculate oak). Four are present in the Mediterranean region: Q pubescens (pubescent oak), Q ilex (holm oak), Q suber (cork oak) and Q coccifera (kermes oak). Pubescent oak is also present in the Atlantic and mid-European regions provided the local soil and climate conditions are favorable. The last species is of very limited extent and will not be considered further in this review. First, we will analyze the distributions of these species in France, as they result from the vegetation dynamics in Europe and the long-lasting action of man. Second, their synecology will be described, based on the empirical knowledge accumulated by botanists and phytoecologists. We will then describe the vegetation series to which they are related. We will next consider the results of ecophysiologal studies of the species, carried out in many laboratories in France and in other European countries. Finally, we will review the sylvicultural practices applied to oak forests, their productivity under different local conditions and the diverse products they yield.