Truffle Turkey Oak - Tuber melanosporum   /   Quercus cerris - Tuber Melanosporum

Adult dimensions: Height up to 25 m, width up to 15 m
Foliage: Late-deciduous, almost marcescent
Soil type: Any type, even poor and stony; except moist soils
Hardiness: Hardy to -25°C
Exposure: Full sun


Properties and uses:
The Turkey Oak is particularly adapted for the Périgord Black Truffle cultivation. It is important to plant it in a very chalky (alkaline, pH greater than 7.5) soil which is well drained to avoid any excessive moisture. It is suited to dry regions where there is little rainfall. It is vital that your plants establish good roots if the truffles are going to properly develop; therefore meticulous soil preparation is essential before planting. See Planting truffle trees.

The planting density advised is between 250 and 400 plants/Hectare.
Regular maintenance and careful watering are equally important if you want to succeed.
See Everything you need to know about the truffle and how to grow it.
Being sensitive to both frost and water it is best planted in a warm temperate area.
The first truffles will be ready to harvest between 4 and 6 years !!

Throughout the world there are several different types of truffle, however in France only 2 are regularly planted: Tuber melanosporum and Tuber uncinatum. See The different types of Truffles.

Uncinatum tuber / Bourgogne Truffle: The Bourgogne truffle is appreciated for its strong flavour and incomparable de sous-bois, it is also for its nut like flavour that it has such a reputation for quality. It is harvested in September.
Melanosporum tuber / Perigord Truffle: The famous black truffle of Périgord is loved for its very strong unique flavour. It has a worldwide reputation. It is harvested from December to the end of March.

Which one to plant, Melanosporum tuber or Uncinatum tuber ?
The holm oak is unsuitable for cold areas. It is most suitable for areas where the Uncinatum tuber grows best. It is therefore not used to produce the Melanosporum tuber.

Other Truffle plants:
• Melanosporum tuber Truffle Hazel (Corylus avellana Truffier Melanosporum tuber), deciduous foliage, moist soil, hardy to -28°C
• Uncinatum tuber Truffle Hazel (Corylus avellana Truffier Uncinatum tuber), deciduous foliage, moist soil, hardy to -28°C
• Melanosporum Tuber Truffle Hornbeam, Marcescent foliage, moist soil, hardy up to -20°C.
• Uncinatum Tuber Truffle Hornbeam, Marcescent foliage, moist soil, hardy up to -20°C.
• Melanosporum tuber Truffle Downy Oak (Quercus pubescens Truffier Melanosporum tuber), deciduous foliage, hardy to -20°C
• Uncinatum tuber Truffle Downy Oak (Quercus pubescens Truffier Uncinatum tuber), deciduous foliage, hardy to -20°C
• Truffle Downy Oak (Quercus cerris Truffier), evergreen foliage, to be avoided in areas with winter temperatures regularly below -15°C