Quercus petraea is a species of deciduous broadleaf flowering plants (in the Fagaceae or Beech family), native to Britain, Europe and northern Iran. It is a large tree, which can live for many centuries and reach 30–40 metres tall. It develops a broad and rounded but open crown supported by a strong trunk with rugged, grey-brown bark. Quercus petraea is found throughout European woodlands, and is a key species in forest ecosystems.

The closely related Quercus robur (also present in Whiteknights Park) is the only other native Quercus (oak) species. Both are widespread in Britain. Quercus robur is more numerous in southern England, but Quercus petraea occurs in lighter soils, and generally does better in uplands, on shallow sandy soil (petraea means "rocky"), and in places with higher rainfall. Consequently Quercus petraea prefers Cornwall, Wales, Scotland and Ireland; it is the national tree of the latter country.

Quercus petraea has brown buds in winter. Short dangling catkins and leaves emerge in April. The leaves are of medium size, somewhat glossy, with 5–8 pairs of rounded smooth-edged lobes; the bays between the lobes do not go far towards the midrib of the leaf. The acorns (the fruit of the oak) occur in clusters; they are initially green and become brown. The leaves turn golden brown in autumn before falling.

Quercus petraea can be distinguished from Quercus robur by both its acorns and its leaves (see this comparison, which includes other Quercus species). Quercus petraea acorns are "sessile" (meaning they grow directly on the twigs with no stalk, whereas Quercus robur acorns have stalks). By contrast, Quercus petraea leaves are on stalks from the twig (whereas Quercus robur are closely attached); they are more oval in shape, and their lobes are more numerous and regularly arranged.

Quercus petraea has long been highly valued for its strong and durable hardwood, which is suitable for construction, furniture making, boat-building and barrel production. It has had significant impact on British history through its use in wooden ship-building.

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