Close-ups of Maltese nature (22)

The holm oak known in Maltese as is-siġra tal-ballut, is native of the Mediterranean region. It is thought that in the past, huge areas of the Maltese islands were covered by evergreen forests characterised by holm oaks. However, this habitat was virtually exterminated following colonisation by man and the grazing effect of introduced sheep and goats.

The holm oak has a rough bark with rigid leaves. These are covered with a thick skin - dark green above and whitish below. The leaves are variable in shape and size, depending on the age and growing conditions. The leaves on the lower branches, for example, are usually toothed and resemble the leaves of the European holly – possibly as a protection against grazing animals. Both the male and female flowers occur on the same tree, which once pollinated form an acorn.

The holm oak is considered to be a strictly protected tree under national legislation and one should not prune, fell or uproot this tree without having the relevant authorisation from the competent authorities.

Noting that only a few copses of holm oak are found in Malta, the conservation status of the habitat type based on such trees is particularly unfavourable. MEPA is helping to conserve this habitat through the designation of special areas of conservation, which include trees as old as 500 years or possibly even older!

Should you require more information, send an e-mail to nature.requests@mepa.org.mt.

The United Nations declared 2010 to be the International Year of Biodiversity. Malta, together with many other countries around the globe, is carrying out a number of initiatives to celebrate life on earth and the value of biodiversity for our lives. We are all invited to take action to safeguard the variety of life on earth: biodiversity.