Downy oak (Quercus pubescens) is a species of white oak Downy oaks typically grow in dry, lime-rich soils. It is a submediterranean species, growing from the coastline to deep in the continent. Its optimum is in the submediterranean region, characterized by hot dry summers and cool winters with little rainfall. In western and central Europe, downy oak is confined to areas with submediteranean microclimate (gorges, sandplains, steppe slopes or to coastlines of former lakes. Bagno Vignoni, Toscana, Italy Oct 2020.