Roble (ROB) - Forest Research

Native range

Native to the lowlands of central-southern Chile.

Provenance Choice

Provenances from the southern part of the natural range or from good quality British stands should be preferred.

Site Requirements

A fast growing light demanding species which will outyield most native British broadleaved species on suitable sites. The stem form is typically not as good as that of rauli. Not cold hardy throughout Britain and can be killed by temperatures below -18°C; an early flushing species which can be damaged by late spring frosts and does not withstand exposure. Tolerates warmer and drier sites than rauli and therefore is better suited to suitable soils in eastern Britain. Best growth is on moderately dry to fresh soils of poor to medium nutrient regime. Not suited to compacted or peat soils or to those of very poor soil nutrient regime.

Pests and Pathogens

Mature stands can suffer sudden dieback from Phytophthora pseudosyringae.

Use

Since the species is currently cold limited in Britain, it should benefit from climate warming and be suited to a wider range of sites in northern Britain, wherever its site requirements are met.

Roble is categorised as a secondary tree species. These are species that have been planted on a much smaller scale than the principal species but are reasonably well understood and have demonstrated their suitability for forestry in terms of stem form, growth rate and hardiness under current conditions and so have potential for wider use in future.