FHTET-2003-01

January 2003
Front Cover:

Clockwise from top left: white oak (Q. alba) acorns; willow oak (Q. 

phellos) leaves and acorns; Georgia oak (Q. georgiana) leaf; chinkapin oak 

(Q. muehlenbergii) acorns; scarlet oak (Q. coccinea) leaf; Texas live oak 

(Q. fusiformis) acorns; runner oak (Q. pumila) leaves and acorns; background 

bur oak (Q. macrocarpa) bark. (Design, D. Binion)

Back Cover:

Swamp chestnut oak (Q. michauxii) leaves and acorns. (Design, D. Binion)
Field Guide to 

Native Oak Species of 

Eastern North America

John Stein and Denise Binion

Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team

USDA Forest Service

180 Canfield St., Morgantown, WV 26505

Robert Acciavatti

Forest Health Protection

Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry

USDA Forest Service

180 Canfield St., Morgantown, WV 26505

FOREST HEALTH

TECHNOLOGY ENTERPRISE TEAM

TECHNOLOGY

TRANSFER

Oak Identification

United States 

Department of

Agriculture

FHTET-2003-01

January 2003

Forest

Service
ii 

NORTH AMERICA

 100th Meridian
iii

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors wish to thank all those who helped with this publication. We 

are grateful for permission to use the drawings illustrated by John K. 

Myers, Flagstaff, AZ, published in the Flora of North America, North of 

Mexico, vol. 3 (Jensen 1997). We thank Drs. Cynthia Huebner and Jim 

Colbert, U.S. Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station, Disturbance 

Ecology and Management of Oak-Dominated Forests, Morgantown, WV; 

Dr. Martin MacKenzie, U.S. Forest Service, Northeastern Area State and 

Private Forestry, Forest Health Protection, Morgantown, WV; Dr. Steven 

L. Stephenson, Department of Biology, Fairmont State College, Fairmont, 

WV; Dr. Donna Ford-Werntz, Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, 

West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV; Dr. Ron Lance, President, 

International Oak Society, Chimney Rock, NC; and Dr. Fernando ZavalaChavez, Division of Forest Science, Universidad Autonoma Chapingo, 

Chapingo, Mexico, for their technical review comments. Their input helped 

to greatly improve the manuscript. In addition, we thank Claudia Violette, 

Frost Entomological Museum, Pennsylvania State University, University 

Park, PA, for her editorial services. We are indebted to the following 

sources for use of various oak images: Shirley Denton, Biological Research 

Associates, Tampa, FL; Joyce Foster, U.S. Forest Service, Sumter National 

Forest, Long Cane Ranger District, Edgefield, SC; Tihomir Kostadinov, 

Student, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA; Ron Lance, President, 

International Oak Society, Chimney Rock Park, Chimney Rock, NC; Chuck 

Milner, U.S. Forest Service, Cibola National Forest, Black Kettle Ranger 

District, Cheyenne, OK; Gil Nelson, Robert K. Godfrey Herbarium, Florida 

State University, Tallahassee, FL; Guy Sternberg, Starhill Forest Arboretum, 

Petersburg, IL; Paul Wray, Department of Forestry, Iowa State University, 

Ames, IA (photos obtained from Forestry Images web site, University of 

Georgia); Texas A&M University, College Station, TX; and West Virginia 

University, Eberly College of Arts and Sciences (Herbarium), Morgantown, 

WV. Finally, the authors wish to extend their appreciation to Nancy Lough

and Sandy Fosbroke, U.S. Forest Service, Northeastern Area State and 

Private Forestry, Information Management and Analysis, Morgantown, WV, 

for their advice and formatting of this field guide.

Photo credits: R. Acciavatti – Q. havardii (habitat), Q. ilicifolia (habitat); 

D. Binion – Q. bicolor (acorn, bark), Q. falcata (bark), Q. havardii (leaf), 

Q. nigra (bark), Q. phellos (bark); S. Denton – Q. chapmanii (leaf, acorn), 

Q. falcata (acorn), Q. geminata (leaf, immature/mature acorn); J. Foster –
iv 

Q. oglethorpensis (leaf, bark, tree); T. Kostadinov – Q. coccinea (leaf), 

Q. falcata (leaf), Q. montana (bark), Q. nigra (leaf), Q. velutina (bark); 

R. Lance – Q. acerifolia (leaf), Q. arkansana (leaf, acorn, bark), Q. austrina

(leaf, acorn, bark), Q. boyntonii (leaf, acorn, tree), Q. buckleyi (leaf, acorn, 

bark), Q. coccinea (acorn), Q. fusiformis (leaf, acorn, bark), Q. georgiana 

(leaf, acorn), Q. hemisphaerica (leaf, acorn), Q. ilicifolia (acorn), Q. incana

(leaf, acorn, bark), Q. laceyi (leaf, acorn), Q. laevis (leaf, acorn, bark), 

Q. laurifolia (leaf, acorn, bark), Q. lyrata (leaf, acorn), Q. margaretta

(leaf, acorn, tree), Q. marilandica (leaf, acorn, bark), Q. michauxii (leaf, 

acorn, bark), Q. minima (leaf, acorn, habitat), Q. montana (leaf, acorn), 

Q. myrtifolia (leaf, acorn), Q. pagoda (leaf, acorn, bark), Q. phellos (leaf, 

acorn), Q. prinoides (leaf, acorn), Q. pumila (leaf, acorn, habitat), 

Q. shumardii (leaf, acorn), Q. similis (leaf, acorn, bark), Q. sinuata (leaf, 

acorn), Q. texana (leaf, acorn), Q. vaseyana (leaf, acorn), Q. virginiana (leaf, 

acorn); C. Milner – Q. havardii (acorn); G. Nelson – Q. inopina (acorn, 

leaf); J. Stein – Q. ilicifolia (leaf, bark), Q. imbricaria (bark), 

Q. muehlenbergii (bark), Q. myrtifolia (bark), Q. nigra (acorn), Q. rubra

(bark), Q. stellata (bark), Q. virginiana (bark, trunk, tree); G. Sternberg – 

Q. macrocarpa (trunk), Q. mohriana (leaf, acorn, bark, tree), Q. pungens

(leaf, acorn, habitat); Texas A&M – Q. fusiformis (tree), Q. hemisphaerica

(tree), Q. vaseyana (tree); West Virginia U. – Q. coccinea (bark), 

Q. shumardii (bark); and P. Wray – Q. alba (leaf, acorn, bark), Q. bicolor 

(leaf), Q. ellipsoidalis (leaf, acorn), Q. imbricaria (leaf, acorn), 

Q. macrocarpa (leaf, acorn, bark), Q. muehlenbergii (leaf, acorn), 

Q. palustris (leaf, acorn, bark), Q. rubra (leaf, acorn), Q. stellata (leaf, 

acorn), Q. velutina (upper/lower leaf surface, acorn). Permission should be 

obtained from the photographers to receive and use quality images for 

publication.

The U.S. Forest Service, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team, 

Morgantown, WV, published this book with support from the U.S. Forest 

Service’s Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry, Forest Health 

Protection, Newtown Square, PA; Northeastern Area State and Private 

Forestry, Information Management and Analysis, Morgantown, WV; and 

the Southern Region, Forest Health Protection, and Cooperative Forestry, 

Atlanta, GA.
v

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction .............................................................................1

Species Descriptions ...............................................................5

Q. acerifolia ..............................maple-leaf oak...................6

Q. alba.......................................white oak...........................8

Q. arkansana.............................Arkansas oak...................10

Q. austrina ................................bastard white oak ............12

Q. bicolor..................................swamp white oak.............14

Q. boyntonii...............................Boynton oak....................16

Q. buckleyi ................................Buckley oak ....................18

Q. chapmanii.............................Chapman oak ..................20

Q. coccinea ...............................scarlet oak .......................22

Q. ellipsoidalis..........................northern pin oak ..............24

Q. falcata...................................southern red oak..............26

Q. fusiformis..............................Texas live oak .................28

Q. geminata...............................sand live oak ...................30

Q. georgiana .............................Georgia oak.....................32

Q. havardii ................................Havard oak......................34

Q. hemisphaerica ......................laurel oak.........................36

Q. ilicifolia ................................bear oak...........................38

Q. imbricaria.............................shingle oak ......................40

Q. incana...................................bluejack oak ....................42

Q. inopina .................................Florida oak ......................44

Q. laceyi ....................................Lacey oak........................46

Q. laevis ....................................turkey oak........................48

Q. laurifolia ..............................swamp laurel oak ............50

Q. lyrata ....................................overcup oak.....................52

Q. macrocarpa ..........................bur oak ............................54

Q. margaretta............................sand post oak...................56

Q. marilandica ..........................blackjack oak ..................58

Q. michauxii..............................swamp chestnut oak ........60

Q. minima..................................dwarf live oak .................62

Q. mohriana ..............................Mohr oak.........................64

Q. montana................................chestnut oak ....................66

Q. muehlenbergii.......................chinkapin oak..................68
vi

Q. myrtifolia..............................myrtle oak .......................70

Q. nigra.....................................water oak.........................72

Q. oglethorpensis......................Oglethorpe oak................74

Q. pagoda..................................cherrybark oak ................76

Q. palustris................................pin oak.............................78

Q. phellos..................................willow oak.......................80

Q. prinoides...............................dwarf chinkapin oak........82

Q. pumila...................................runner oak .......................84

Q. pungens ................................sandpaper oak..................86

Q. rubra ....................................northern red oak ..............88

Q. shumardii..............................Shumard oak ...................90

Q. similis...................................swamp post oak...............92

Q. sinuata..................................bastard oak ......................94

Q. stellata..................................post oak ...........................96

Q. texana...................................Texas red oak ..................98

Q. vaseyana...............................Vasey oak ......................100

Q. velutina.................................black oak .......................102

Q. virginiana .............................southern live oak...........104

Ecosystems of Eastern North America ..............................106

Ecoregion Province Legend.............................................107

Species Summary ................................................................108

Table 1. Native Red Oaks ...............................................109

Table 2. Native White Oaks............................................114

Key to Leaves of Eastern Native Oaks ..............................120

Leaf Characteristics .........................................................121

Oak Groups......................................................................122

Red Oaks..........................................................................123

White Oaks.......................................................................136

Glossary ...............................................................................148

Selected References .............................................................151

Index of Common Names ...................................................153

Index of Scientific Names ...................................................157

Reference Charts for Red and White Oak Leaves ...........161
- 1 -

Oaks are primarily temperate region trees and shrubs numbering 

approximately 600 species worldwide. Oaks have occupied the nonglaciated landscape of North America since the Cretaceous Period. 

Fifty oak species are represented in two-thirds of the eastern North 

American forest cover types and dominate 68 percent of hardwood 

forests (191 million acres).

Oaks have figured prominently in folklore, construction, food 

sources, medications, and dyes. Great political events have occurred 

under “charter oaks,” and Native Americans utilized acorns as food 

(particularly the sweeter white oaks) and the inner bark as medicine 

(Q. falcata, Q. ilicifolia, Q. imbricaria, Q. muehlenbergii, Q. rubra, 

and others). This genus, which includes economically important 

hardwoods, is also critical for meeting watershed, recreation, and 

wildlife management goals.

The encroachment of urbanization, agriculture, and hydrologic projects 

continues to negatively impact oak forest types. Such impacts may 

necessitate the establishment of conservation districts for vulnerable 

species. Comments in the text associated with conservation status 

are based upon information compiled by the World Conservation 

Monitoring Center and published in association with the International 

Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) 

in the 1997 IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants (Walter and Gillett 

1998). In the southern United States, forest management practices 

favor conifers replacing hardwood forests in rich bottomlands. A new 

source of concern involves the threat of displacement of native oaks 

by exotic species. Forest types are placed at risk with the introduction 

of non-native insects, diseases, and plants. In 1997, a fungal pathogen 

(Phytophthora ramorum) was identified as the cause of Sudden Oak 

Death (SOD) in California. Screening for potential hosts has identified 

some susceptible species of eastern red oaks. Additional susceptible 

hosts include commercial nursery stock (rhododendrons, bay laurel, 

huckleberry, and others), which increase the probability that SOD will 

spread to eastern North America. 

INTRODUCTION
- 2 -

As the list of susceptible oak and understory hosts expands, this guide 

will help fill the need to identify and determine the natural occurrence 

of specific oak species in eastern North America and document any 

potential loss of species from states or counties.

This field guide provides an illustrated reference for identification 

of eastern oaks and can be used in several ways. Oak identification 

can be accomplished by utilizing the leaf keys, cross referencing 

scientific or local common names in the index, verifying similarities 

between leaf specimens and the illustrated oak leaf reference charts, 

and comparing descriptions provided for each species. Distribution 

maps may also aid in the separation of similar appearing species. The 

distribution of each oak species can be further defined according to 

ecoregion. A map of the eastern North American ecoregion provinces 

is provided (p. 106) and ecoregion provinces associated with each 

oak species are also included in the summary tables (pp. 109-119). 

The same common names may be used for different species or many 

common names may be applied to a single species in more than one 

location. Therefore, the preferred name is shown in bold with other 

names cross referenced in the index. Leaf morphology may vary 

considerably depending upon a combination of hybridization, tree age, 

position in the crown, and available sunlight. Many oaks are noted for 

hybridizing with other species in the same subgenus. Such progeny 

differ from the typical form, are usually isolated individuals or have 

a limited distribution, and are not included here. Characteristics used 

in the field identification key are limited to mature leaves with full 

exposure to the sun. When using the key, it is recommended that 

species verification be made by reference to other tree characteristics 

listed in the text.

The genus Quercus is generally divided into two major groups: red 

(Table 1) and white (Table 2) oaks. White oaks are in the Quercus

subgenus Leucobalanus and have leaves lacking bristles on the lobes 

or leaf apex. Some species (Q. havardii, Q. minima, Q. vaseyana) 

have lobes modified into short small points called mucronate tips. 
- 3 -

Acorns require one growing season (annual) to mature. Cup scales are 

thick, usually with a keel, and have a callus growth at the base. The 

cup has a smooth inner surface, lacking pubescence. The heartwood 

has clogged vessels, making it impervious to liquids, a characteristic 

utilized for cooperage in the wine and liquor industry.

Red oaks are in the Quercus subgenus Erythrobalanus. This group 

of oaks is characterized by having leaves with bristles at the tips 

of the lobes and the leaf apex. The acorns require two growing 

seasons (biennial) to mature and the overlap in age should be evident 

when comparing nut size on current and second-year twig growth. 

Cup scales are thin, flat, and without a callus growth at their base. 

The inner surface of the cup has velvety hairs. These oaks have 

open vessels in the heartwood that allow absorption of liquid, a 

characteristic utilized in the penetration of wood preservatives.

This field guide includes all native oak species occurring east of the 

100th meridian in North America north of Mexico. The nomenclature 

and treatment of species follows the protocol in the Flora of North 

America (Jensen 1997). Individual species descriptions are based on 

several sources (Miller and Lamb 1985, Jensen 1997). Distribution 

records were obtained from USDA Forest Service data, voucher 

plant specimens, published state floras, and other literature. Native 

species in arboreta and landscape plantings outside their natural 

distribution are excluded from the maps (e.g. Canadian occurrence of 

scarlet oak (Q. coccinea)). The natural distribution of each species is 

presented at the county level except for Canada and Mexico. There 

are several species whose range overlaps the 100th meridian or the 

Mexican border; these are documented on the distribution maps. 

Seven species of white oaks (Q. fusiformis, Q. laceyi, Q. mohriana, 

Q. muehlenbergii, Q. pungens, Q. sinuata, and Q. vaseyana) with 

a Mexican distribution extending from Texas are also noted on 

distribution maps. The reader is referred to other publications (Muller 

1942, Elias 1980, Zavala-Chavez 1989) for details on the oak flora of 

Mexico. 
- 4 -

The leaf shapes of Q. acutissima (left) and Q. robur (right) are 

representative of most introduced oak species used as landscape trees. 

(Images, D. Binion)

Sawtooth oak English oak

Information on introduced oaks such as the sawtooth oak (Q. 

acutissima), European turkey oak (Q. cerris), blue Japanese oak (Q. 

glauca), Chinese evergreen oak (Q. myrsinifolia), English oak (Q. 

robur), durmast oak (Q. petraea), and oriental oak (Q. variabilis) can 

be found in ornamental and landscape tree publications.
- 5 -

SPECIES DESCRIPTIONS

Mature bur oak, Q. macrocarpa (Photo, G. Sternberg)
- 6 - 

Quercus acerifolia Stoynoff & Hess

Maple-leaf oak

GROWTH FORM: small 

to medium tree, which grows 

to 50 feet (15.2 m). BARK: 

dark gray to black with 

shallow furrows. TWIGS 

and BUDS: gray to grayishbrown, twigs may have 

slight pubescence; elliptical 

terminal buds with coloration 

similar to twigs. LEAVES: 

smooth petiole 3⁄4 - 1 3⁄4 inches (19 - 44 mm) in length; leaf blade 

broadly elliptical, 4 - 6 inches (101 - 152 mm) long, 2 3⁄4 - 5 1⁄2 inches 

(70 - 140 mm) wide, 5 - 7 lobes with acute bristled tips, base truncated 

to obtuse, apex acute; smooth and green above, paler green with 

axillary tomentum beneath, 

secondary veins prominent 

on both surfaces. ACORNS: 

biennial; light brown saucershaped cup with pubescent 

scales, chestnut-brown inner 

surfaces with pubescent ring 

around nut scar, covers 1⁄4 - 1⁄3

of the nut; oblong nut with 

slight pubescence, 3⁄4 inch (19 

mm) long. 
- 7 -

HABITAT: limited occurrence on slopes and ridges of mountains. 

DISTRIBUTION: specific to four counties (Logan, Montgomery, 

Polk, and Sebastian) in Arkansas.

COMMENTARY: The Latin and common names are derived from 

resemblance of its foliage to that of a maple. Although maple-leaf 

oak is found in the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas, there is an 

unconfirmed report of its occurrence on Rich Mountain, Le Flore 

County, Oklahoma. Maple-leaf oak is considered endangered by 

IUCN.
- 8 - 

GROWTH FORM: popular 

and long-lived shade tree, 

which grows to 100 feet 

(30.5 m), with a widespreading rounded crown and 

with numerous horizontal 

branches. BARK: light gray, 

shallow furrows forming scaly 

ridges or plates. TWIGS 

and BUDS: slender to 

stout, gray to reddish-green 

twigs with star-shaped pith; buds are reddish-brown and broadly oval 

and hairless. LEAVES: petiole 3⁄8 - 1 inch (10 - 25 mm) in length; 

obovate to elliptical leaves, 4 - 8 inches (101 - 203 mm) long, 2 3⁄4 - 

4 3⁄4 inches (70 - 121 mm) wide, margin with 5 - 9 lobes that are widest 

beyond middle, deep sinuses extending a third or more to midrib; base 

acute to cuneate, apex broadly rounded; dull or shiny grayish green 

above, light green with slight pubescence which becomes smooth 

beneath as they mature. 

ACORNS: annual; 1 - 3 

acorns on peduncle up to 1 1⁄4

inch (32 mm) long, light gray 

pubescent cup, enclosing 

1⁄4 of the nut; light brown, 

oblong nut, up to 1 inch 

(25 mm) long; germinates 

in the fall after dropping 

to the ground. HABITAT: 

dry upland slopes to welldrained loam in bottomlands; 

Quercus alba Linnaeus

White oak

eastern white oak, 

stave oak, 

forked-leaf white oak
- 9 -

may grow as a shrub at 4,500 

feet (1,372 m) elevation in the 

southern Appalachian Mountains 

and reaches maximum potential 

height on lower slopes of the 

Allegheny Mountains and 

bottomlands of the Ohio Basin. 

DISTRIBUTION: eastern Canada and the 

United States from Quebec and Ontario west to 

Minnesota, south to Texas, east to Florida, and north to Maine.

COMMENTARY: White oak is one of the most important species in 

the white oak group. The wood is used for furniture, flooring, and specialty items such as wine and whiskey barrels. Used for shipbuilding 

in colonial times. Continues to be displaced in the market place by 

several species of red oaks. Acorns are a favorite food source for 

birds, squirrels, and deer. Used as medication by Native Americans. 

The largest known white oak specimen had a circumference of 32 feet 

and grew in the Wye Oak State Park, Talbot County, Maryland. It was 

destroyed during a storm on June 6, 2002.
- 10 - 

GROWTH FORM: a medium 

sized tree with a narrow crown, 

growing to 95 feet (28.9 m). 

BARK: black with deep 

furrows, inner bark orangish-red. 

TWIGS and BUDS: brown 

twigs with gray pubescence and 

prominent yellowish-brown 

lenticels; chestnut-brown, ovoid 

buds with slightly ciliate scale 

margins. LEAVES: obovate 

shape, 2 - 6 inches (51 - 152 mm) long, 1 3⁄8 - 4 inches (35 - 101 mm) 

wide; margin entire with 3 lobes and up to 10 bristle tips, shallow 

sinuses with rounded lobes; smooth and yellowish-green above, 

paler green with axillary 

tufts of pubescence beneath. 

ACORNS: biennial; thin, 

brown, goblet-shaped cup 

with pubescent scales, inner 

surface sparse to conspicuously 

pubescent, covers 1⁄4 - 1⁄2 of the 

nut; elliptical nut 5⁄8 inch (16 

mm) long, mature nut is brown 

to black with faint stripes. 

Quercus arkansana Sargent

Arkansas oak

Arkansas water oak, 

water oak
- 11 -

HABITAT: occurs sporadically on welldrained sandy soils in hardwood stands. 

DISTRIBUTION: Arkansas and Louisiana 

east to Georgia and Florida.

COMMENTARY: The Latin and common names are derived from 

its initial discovery in Arkansas. The IUCN considers Arkansas oak 

rare in Arkansas, endangered in Florida, and vulnerable in Alabama, 

Georgia, and Louisiana. The largest known Arkansas oak grows in 

Covington County, Mississippi.
- 12 - 

GROWTH FORM: large tree 

growing to 75 feet (22.9 m). BARK: 

pale gray, mature bark developing into 

broad ridges. TWIGS and BUDS: 

dark brown twigs with corky white 

lenticels; chestnut-brown ovoid bud 

with pubescent scales, pointed apex. 

LEAVES: very short petiole up to 1⁄4 

inch (6 mm) long; leaf blade narrowly 

obovate, up to 4 inches (101 mm) 

long, 

2 inches 

(51 mm) 

wide; 

margin 

entire with 

3 - 9 

rounded lobes, shallow sinuses; base 

cuneate or 

attenuate, 

rounded apex; 

smooth, shiny, 

dark green above, 

grayish-green 

and smooth with 

slight axillary 

pubescence 

below; 

secondary veins 

prominent on 

both surfaces. 

Quercus austrina Small

Bastard white oak

bluff oak 
- 13 -

ACORNS: annual; 1 - 2 acorns on a stout 

peduncle up to 5⁄8 inch (16 mm) in length; 

goblet-shaped cup with gray scales, covers 

1⁄3 - 1⁄2 of the nut; brown ovoid nut, 5⁄8 inch 

(16 mm) long. HABITAT: well-drained, 

rich bottomland soils along streams and 

next to river bluffs. DISTRIBUTION: 

Mississippi east to North Carolina.

COMMENTARY: Bastard white oak is a widespread species, mostly 

sporadic, but may be abundant in localized areas. Leaf shape is 

variable and can be similar to Q. sinuata and Q. nigra.
- 14 - 

Quercus bicolor Willdenow

Swamp white oak

white oak 

GROWTH FORM: large tree that 

grows to 100 feet (30.5 m) with 

an irregular crown. BARK: dark 

gray, deep furrows forming scaly or 

flat-ridges. TWIGS and BUDS: 

smooth, light brown twigs; buds 

light orangish-brown, smooth, ovoid 

and blunt. LEAVES: petiole from 

3⁄8 - 1 inch (10 - 25 mm) long; leaves 

are narrowly elliptical to obovate, 

varies up to 7 inches (178 mm) 

long and 4 3⁄8 inches (111 mm) 

wide; base cuneate to acute, 

rounded apex; margin with 

10 - 20 lobes with shallow 

sinuses, distal 

half of blade 

may have 

teeth; glossy 

dark green 

above with 

white velvety 

pubescence 

beneath. 
- 15 -

ACORNS: annual; 1 - 2 acorns on 

peduncle up to 4 inches (101 mm) 

long; grayish-green cup with scales 

covered with fine gray tomentum, 

cup rim often has spinose bristles, 

cup covers 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 of the nut; oblong 

or ovoid, light brown nut, up to 1 1⁄4

inches (32 mm) long. HABITAT: 

poorly-drained mineral soils. 

DISTRIBUTION: Minnesota south 

to Nebraska, east to North Carolina, and north to Quebec and Maine.

COMMENTARY: The scientific name refers to the difference in 

coloration between upper and lower leaf surface. Swamp white oak 

produces a hard wood that has been used for construction, cabinet 

making, boat building, railroad ties, fencing, and cooperage. The 

Iroquois peoples used this oak as medicine. The two largest known 

specimens grow in Highland County, Virginia, and Washington 

County, Ohio.
- 16 - 

GROWTH FORM: semievergreen deciduous or 

rhizomatous shrub, which 

grows to a height of 6 1⁄2 feet 

(2 m), occasionally to a height 

of 19 feet (5.8 m). BARK: 

brown and scaly. TWIGS 

and BUDS: light brown 

pubescent twigs; reddishbrown buds, ovoid with a 

rounded apex and sparsely 

pubescent scales. LEAVES: petiole up to 3⁄8 inch (10 mm) long; 

obovate or narrowly obovate leaves, up to 4 inches (101 mm) long and 

2 3⁄8 inches (60 mm) wide, 

base is cuneate; margin 

with 3 - 5 irregularly 

rounded lobes; apex 

triangular-lobed; shiny 

dark green above, grayish 

pubescence beneath. 

ACORNS: annual; 1 - 2 

acorns on a peduncle up 

to 3⁄8 inch (10 mm) long, 

pubescent gray cup covers 

up to 1⁄2 of the nut; light 

brown, ovoid nut with 

rounded tip, up to 5⁄8 inch 

(16 mm) in length. 

Quercus boyntonii Beadle

Boynton oak
- 17 -

HABITAT: localized 

occurrence associated 

with sandstone outcrops. 

DISTRIBUTION: 

rare with a restricted 

occurrence in Alabama 

and Texas; found on 

the summit of Lookout 

Mountain, Etowah 

County, Alabama.

COMMENTARY: Boynton oak is rare and rated as endangered by 

the IUCN. The Texas distribution record is questionable and may have 

resulted from taxonomic confusion associated with early collections.
- 18 - 

GROWTH FORM: considered 

a small tree that grows to 60 feet 

(18.3 m). BARK: varies from 

gray and smooth to black and 

furrowed. TWIGS and BUDS: 

twigs are smooth and vary 

from gray to brown; terminal 

buds vary from gray to reddishbrown with ciliated apical 

scales, 1⁄4 inch (6 mm) in length. 

LEAVES: smooth petiole 

3⁄4 - 1 3⁄4 inches (19 - 44 mm) in 

length; leaves are broadly elliptical, up to 

4 inches (101 mm) long and 4 3⁄8 inches 

(111 mm) wide, truncate base with 7 - 9 

lobes, 12 - 35 awns, lobes may be distally 

expanded, apex acute to acuminate; glossy 

green above, light green to coppery-green 

below with 

tomentum, 

veins raised 

on both leaf 

surfaces. 

ACORNS: 

biennial; cup 

scales smooth 

to sparsely 

pubescent, 

Quercus buckleyi Nixon and Dorr

Buckley oak

Texas red oak, 

Spanish oak, spotted oak 
- 19 -

inner surface smooth, covers 1⁄3 - 1⁄2

of nut; smooth or slightly pubescent, 

broadly ovoid nut, 3⁄4 inch (19 mm) long. 

HABITAT: restricted habitat associated 

with limestone ridges, slopes and creek 

bottoms. DISTRIBUTION: limited range 

in central Oklahoma and Texas.

COMMENTARY: This species was named for Samuel B. Buckley, 

botanist and state geologist of Texas. Buckley oak leaves are similar 

to the Texas red oak, Q. texana, but the two species do not overlap in 

their distributions. This species should be considered a conservation 

concern. The largest known Buckley oak grows in Travis County, 

Texas.
- 20 - 

GROWTH FORM: 

deciduous or semi-evergreen 

shrub, which grows to 10 feet 

(3 m), often rhizomatous, or a 

small tree to 45 feet (13.7 m). 

BARK: grayish-brown with 

irregular scales. TWIGS and 

BUDS: twigs are grayish-tan 

to yellowish-tan with patches 

of fine tomentum, terminal buds are reddish-brown with smooth distal 

scales. LEAVES: small smooth petiole 1⁄8 inch (3 mm) long; leaves 

are obovate, 1 1⁄2 - 3 1⁄2 inches (38 - 89 mm) long and 3⁄4 - 1 1⁄2 inches 

(19 - 38 mm) wide, margins are minutely wavy and many have shallow 

irregular lobes toward tip of leaf, apex rounded, base cuneate; upper 

surface is glossy dark green, and light gray or yellow with yellowish 

pubescence beneath. ACORNS: annual; 1 - 2 acorns on a peduncle 

up to 1⁄2 inch 

(13 mm) in 

length; cup 

has gray 

tomentum 

on scales, 

covering 

1⁄3 - 1⁄2 the 

nut; light 

brown nut 

is oval with 

a rounded 

apex, and 

may have 

Quercus chapmanii Sargent

Chapman oak

Chapman white oak, 

scrub oak
- 21 -

pubescence. HABITAT: on xerophytic 

sandy soils of open pine forest and oak 

scrublands on sand ridges and coastal 

dunes in the lower coastal plain near 

sea level. DISTRIBUTION: sporadic 

occurrence near the coast of Alabama, 

Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.

COMMENTARY: Named for A. W. Chapman who first described 

this species in his Flora of the Southern United States. Chapman oak 

is abundant along the west coast of Florida from Tampa Bay north 

to Panama City. The largest known specimen grows in the Ocala 

National Forest east of Ocala, Florida.
- 22 - 

GROWTH FORM: fast 

growing large tree that can 

obtain a height of 120 feet 

(36.6 m), with frequent 

downward arching branches, 

trunk usually enlarged at the 

base, and usually retains dead 

branches. BARK: brown 

with fine fissures and scaly 

ridges, inner bark is red to 

orangish-pink. TWIGS and 

BUDS: twigs are smooth 

reddish-brown; clustered terminal buds are ovoid and reddish-brown 

with pubescence near the apex, 5-angled in cross section. LEAVES: 

smooth petiole 3⁄4 - 2 3⁄8 inches (19 - 60 mm) in length; leaves are 

elliptic to obovate, 2 3⁄4 - 6 1⁄4 inches (70 - 159 mm) long, 3 - 5 1⁄8

inches (76 - 130 mm) wide, margins with 5 - 9 lobes extending more 

than 1⁄2 the distance to the midrib, base truncate, apex acute; upper 

surface a glossy light green, with tufts of axillary tomentum beneath, 

secondary veins 

raised on both 

surfaces. ACORNS: 

biennial; cup is a 

glossy dark reddishbrown, inner surface 

is smooth and light 

brown, covering 

1⁄3 - 1⁄2 the nut; bluntly 

oblong nut, 1⁄2 - 7⁄8

inches (13 - 22 mm) 

in length, smooth 

Quercus coccinea Muenchhausen

Scarlet oak

black oak, red oak, 

Spanish oak
- 23 -

with concentric rings at apex. HABITAT: 

found in a variety of habitats including poor 

soils in mixed forests, especially on upland 

ridges; this oak is probably a climax tree on dry 

soils. DISTRIBUTION: range extends from 

Maine west to Michigan, south to Missouri and 

Mississippi, and east to South Carolina and the 

eastern Atlantic coast.

COMMENTARY: Scarlet oak lumber is marketed as red oak but is 

of poorer quality than Q. rubra or Q. velutina. This species is very 

susceptible to fire damage because of its thin bark. Such injuries 

often result in heart rot. Grows rapidly and begins to bear fruit at age 

20. Acorns provide food for squirrels, chipmunks, mice, deer, wild 

turkey, bluejays, and redheaded woodpeckers. Extensively planted as 

an ornamental tree because of its brilliant autumn color, and has been 

introduced into Canada and Europe. The largest known scarlet oak 

grows in Powell County, Kentucky.
- 24 - 

GROWTH FORM: medium 

tree grows to 66 feet (20.1 m), 

rarely to 130 feet (39.6 m), with 

a narrow crown. BARK: dark 

gray-brown with shallow fissures 

producing thin plates, inner bark 

orange in color. TWIGS and 

BUDS: twigs are first covered 

with hairs and then become 

smooth and reddish-brown; 

terminal buds are a shiny reddishbrown with scales ciliated along the margin, slightly angled in cross 

section. LEAVES: smooth petiole 3⁄4 - 2 inches (19 - 51 mm); leaves 

are elliptical, 2 3⁄4 - 5 1⁄8 inches (70 - 130 mm) long, and 2 - 4 inches 

(51 - 101 mm) wide, the base is truncate and the apex is acute, margins 

have 5 - 7 deep 

lobes extending 

more than 1⁄2 the 

distance to midrib 

with bristlepointed teeth, 

upper surface 

is a shiny light 

green and paler 

below with minute 

axillary tufts of 

tomentum along 

the midvein. 

Quercus ellipsoidalis Hill

Northern pin oak

jack oak, Hill’s oak, 

black oak
- 25 -

ACORNS: biennial; outer surface of cup 

is grayish-brown or reddish-brown and 

pubescent, inner surface is light brown and 

smooth, cup covers 1⁄3 - 1⁄2 of the nut; elliptical 

to ovoid nut 1⁄2 - 3⁄4 inches (13 - 19 mm) 

long, concentric apical rings are infrequent. 

HABITAT: dry sandy soils sites in the 

northern and central boreal forest region; found 

associated with species of pine, oak, hickory, aspen, and black cherry. 

DISTRIBUTION: occurs from Ontario south to northern Missouri, 

and east to Ohio and Michigan.

COMMENTARY: Northern pin oak is reduced to shrubby growth 

at the edge of its range. The largest known specimen grows in Bay 

Village, Cuyahoga County, Ohio.
- 26 - 

GROWTH FORM: moderately 

fast growing, medium to large tree, 

which grows to 150 feet (45.7 m); 

tree with a short bole and a globe 

shaped crown. BARK: dark gray, 

developing furrows produce ridges 

and scaly plates; inner bark is orange. 

TWIGS and BUDS: pubescent 

reddish-brown twig with star shaped 

pith; reddish-brown terminal bud 

is ovoid and pubescent. LEAVES: 

petiole 3⁄4 - 2 3⁄8 inches (19 - 60 mm) in length, smooth to sparsely 

pubescent; leaves are elliptical to 

ovate, 4 - 11 3⁄4 inches (101 - 298 mm) 

long and 2 3⁄8 - 6 1⁄4 inches (60 - 159 

mm) wide, u-shaped base, margin has 

3 - 7 deeply divided lobes with 1 - 3 

bristle-tipped teeth, apex longer than 

lateral lobes; 

upper surface 

a glossy 

green often 

with some 

pubescence 

along midrib, 

lower surface 

covered with 

gray or tawny 

pubescence, 

secondary 

Quercus falcata Michaux

Southern red oak

Spanish oak, swamp red oak, 

water oak, turkey-foot oak
- 27 -

veins raised on both surfaces. ACORNS: 

biennial; thin, reddish-brown cup with 

pubescent inner and outer surface, usually 

covers up to 1⁄3 of the nut; rounded, brown 

nut, 3⁄8 - 5⁄8 inch (9 - 16 mm) long, may 

be striated at the tip with pubescence. 

HABITAT: dry upland sites of sandy or 

clay loam throughout the southeastern 

United States. DISTRIBUTION: occurs from New Jersey and 

Florida west to Oklahoma and Texas.

COMMENTARY: Southern red oak lumber is marketed as red oak 

for construction and furniture. This oak is common throughout the 

South and often called Spanish oak because of the association with 

early Spanish settlement. The largest known southern red oak grows 

in Upson County, Georgia.
- 28 - 

GROWTH FORM: evergreen 

shrub or small tree, which 

grows to 40 feet (12.2 m) with a 

spreading crown. BARK: dark 

gray, developing furrows produce 

ridges and scaly plates; inner 

bark is orange. TWIGS and 

BUDS: light gray pubescent twigs, 

slender and stiff; bud reddish to 

dark brown, ovate with smooth 

or pubescent scales. LEAVES: 

petiole less than 3⁄8 inch (10 mm) 

long; leaves are thick elliptical or 

narrowly ovate 1 1⁄8 - 3 1⁄2 inches 

(29 - 89 mm) long, and 3⁄4 - 1 1⁄2 inches (19 - 38 mm) wide, base 

cordate, leaf margin entire and slightly revolute (rolled under), may 

be irregularly toothed at tip or along sides, apex usually obtuse or 

rounded and may end in a tiny point, upper surface a glossy light to 

dark green, 

grayishgreen 

beneath 

with dense 

pubescent 

bloom that 

rubs off. 

Quercus fusiformis Small

Texas live oak

scrub live oak, live oak
- 29 -

ACORNS: annual; peduncle 

1⁄8 - 11⁄8 inches (3 - 29 mm) 

supporting 1 - 5 nuts, cup 

has narrow base, light gray 

scales with reddish-tips may 

be smooth or pubescent 

encloses 1⁄4 - 1⁄2 of nut; dark 

brown, narrow and oblong 

nut with light brown stripes, 

5⁄8 - 1 inch (16 - 25 mm) long. 

HABITAT: limestone or 

calcareous loam soils. DISTRIBUTION: limited to Oklahoma, Texas 

and the mountains of northeastern Mexico (Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, 

and Tamaulipas). 

COMMENTARY: The largest known Texas live oak grows in Real 

County, Texas.
- 30 - 

GROWTH FORM: 

evergreen rhizomatous shrub 

or medium tree to 50 feet 

(15.2 m), occasionally to 

95 feet (28.9 m). BARK: 

dark brown or black with 

scaly plates. TWIGS 

and BUDS: light tan to 

light gray pubescent twigs 

becoming smooth the 

second year; dark brown ovoid buds, scale margins may be pubescent. 

LEAVES: short petiole 1⁄8 - 3⁄8 inch (3 - 10 mm) in length, leaf blade 

narrowly elliptic, 1 3⁄8 - 2 3⁄8 inches (35 - 60 mm) long 3⁄8 - 11⁄8 inches 

(10 - 29 mm) wide, cupped beneath, base cuneate, margins entire 

revolute 

(wavy); 

upper surface 

is shiny, 

light to dark 

green with 

impressed 

secondary 

veins, lower 

surface 

covered 

with dense 

whitish bloom 

(glaucous) 

that rubs off. 

Quercus geminata Small

Sand live oak
- 31 -

ACORNS: annual; produced in 

clusters of 1 - 3 on long peduncles 

3⁄8 - 4 inches (10 - 101 mm) in 

length; cup with whitish or gray 

scales that are smooth or pubescent, 

covers 1⁄3 of nut; smooth, dark 

brown, ovoid or barrel-shaped 

nut, 5⁄8 - 1 inch (16 - 25 mm) long. 

HABITAT: deep sandy soils in 

mixed pine or hardwood stands. 

DISTRIBUTION: Louisiana to North Carolina on the coastal plain.

COMMENTARY: Sand live oak is utilized as lumber and landscape 

plantings. The largest sand live oaks (co-champions) are both located 

in Gainesville, Alachua County, Florida.
- 32 - 

GROWTH FORM: small, slow 

growing tree with a compact 

crown reaching a normal high 

of 26 feet (7.9 m), occasionally 

reaches 75 feet (22.9 m). BARK: 

gray to light brown, mature bark 

becomes scaly. TWIGS and 

BUDS: smooth red twigs with 

prominent light brown lenticels; 

buds are reddish-brown, ovoid 

with smooth scales that may 

be ciliated. LEAVES: petiole 

1⁄4 - 7⁄8 inch (6 - 22 mm) long, 

usually with a few hairs; leaf 

blade broadly elliptical and thin, 

1 1⁄2 - 5 1⁄8 inches (38 - 130 mm) long, 3⁄4 - 3 1⁄2 inches (19 - 89 mm) 

wide, with a cuneate or obtuse base, margin with 3 - 5 pointed bristletipped lobes; surface is a shiny green above, pale green below with 

axillary tufts of tomentum. ACORNS: biennial; short-stalked cup, 

thin walled and saucer-shaped, outer surface slightly pubescent with 

smooth inner 

surface, 

covering 

1⁄3 of the 

nut; brown 

subglobular 

nut, 3⁄8 - 1⁄2

inch (10 

- 13 mm) 

in length. 

Quercus georgiana Curtis

Georgia oak
- 33 -

HABITAT: restricted to granitic outcrops 

and dry slopes in the Piedmont Plateau at 

approximately 1700 feet (518 m) elevation; 

found in the oak-pine forest types associated with 

Q. montana, Q. marilandica, and Q. stellata. 

DISTRIBUTION: Alabama east to South 

Carolina.

COMMENTARY: Georgia oak was originally described from 

specimens collected on Stone Mountain in Georgia. This species is 

a conservation concern and listed as threatened by the Smithsonian 

Report. The largest known Georgia oak grows in Clarke County, 

Georgia.
- 34 - 

GROWTH FORM: rhizomatous shrub 

with a normal height of 3 feet (0.9 m) 

and exceptional speciments to 30 feet 

(9.1 m). BARK: papery, light gray. 

TWIGS and BUDS: brown pubescent 

twigs, becoming smooth with age; 

ovoid terminal buds are a dark reddishbrown. LEAVES: short petiole to 

1⁄4 inch (6 mm); leaves are ovate or 

elliptical, 2 - 4 inches (51 - 101 mm) 

long, 3⁄4 - 2 inches (19 - 51 mm) wide; 

thick and with a rounded or cuneate 

base, margins generally have deep 

lobes with 2 - 3 rounded teeth on each 

side, apex rounded; upper surface shiny light green, lower surface has 

densely tawny tomentum. ACORNS: annual; solitary or paired on a 

peduncle up to 3⁄8 inch (10 

mm), a pubescent reddishbrown cup, which covers 

1⁄3 - 1⁄2 of nut; brown, ovoid 

nut, 1 inch (25 mm) long. 

HABITAT: sandy soils and 

sand dunes; grows in areas 

devoid of almost all other 

trees. DISTRIBUTION: 

New Mexico, Oklahoma, 

and Texas.

Quercus havardii Rydberg

Havard oak

shin oak, shinnery
- 35 -

COMMENTARY: This species was named for the U.S. Army surgeon 

and botanist, Valery Havard. Because Havard oak thrives in a harsh 

environment, it functions as a sand dune stabilizer and provides critical 

habitat for the endangered sand dune lizard (Sceloporus arenicolus). 

Although the acorns are an important food source for wildlife, the 

leaves are toxic to livestock. Use of herbicides to eradicate Havard 

oak has resulted in habitat loss and a drastic decline in sand dune lizard 

populations. The largest known Havard oak grows in Yoakum County, 

Texas.
- 36 - 

GROWTH FORM: short-lived 

evergreen, medium to large tree that 

can grow to heights of 100 feet (30.5 

m). BARK: dark brown with deep 

furrows producing flat ridges. TWIGS 

and BUDS: smooth, brown to dark red 

twigs; reddish to purplish-brown ovoid 

buds, scale margins smooth or ciliated. 

LEAVES: short smooth petiole up to 

1⁄4 inch (6 mm) in length; leaf blade 

narrow ovate or elliptical, 1 1⁄8 - 4 3⁄4

inches (29 - 121 mm) long, 3⁄8 - 1 1⁄2

inches (10 - 38 mm) wide, leathery, base 

obtuse or rounded, margin 

entire or with shallow 

lobes near apex. Both 

surfaces are smooth, or 

rarely with minute axillary 

tufts or tomentum beneath. 

ACORNS: biennial; 

sessile; cup has fine 

pubescence on scales and 

on inner surface, covering 

up to 1⁄3 of nut; ovoid to 

hemispherical nut, dark 

brown to black, 1⁄2 inch 

(13 mm) long. 

 

Quercus hemisphaerica Bartram ex Willdenow

Laurel oak

Darlington oak
- 37 -

 HABITAT: moderately dry sandy 

soils. DISTRIBUTION: Texas east 

to Virginia. 

 

COMMENTARY: Laurel oak is fast growing and matures in about 

50 years. Used for firewood and as an urban shade tree. The largest 

known laurel oak grows near Wrens, Jefferson County, Georgia.
- 38 - 

GROWTH FORM:

deciduous shrub or small 

tree, which normally grows 

to a height of 18 feet (5.5 

m) and occasionally to 

41 feet (12.5 m). BARK: 

dark gray, thin mature bark 

becoming scaly. TWIGS 

and BUDS: pubescent 

yellowish-brown to brown 

twigs when young, dark 

brown and smooth when 

older; terminal buds ovoid 

and 1⁄8 inch (3 mm) long. LEAVES: smooth 

petiole up to 2 3⁄8 inches (60 mm) in length; 

leaves are ovate to elliptical, 2 - 4 3⁄4 inches 

Quercus ilicifolia Wangenheim

Bear oak

scrub oak
- 39 -

(51 - 121 mm) 

long, 1 1⁄8 - 3 1⁄2

inches (29 - 89 

mm) wide, base 

cuneate (wedge 

shaped), 3 - 7 

lobes separated by 

shallow sinuses 

and ending in 1 - 3 

bristle-tipped teeth, 

apex usually has 

3-tipped lobe, thick 

and leathery, upper surface shiny dark green, lower surface pale green 

to gray with dense woolly pubescence, secondary veins raised on both 

surfaces. ACORNS: biennial; cup is reddish-brown with pubescent 

scales, inner surface pubescent, covers up to 1⁄2 of the nut; ovoid, light 

brown nut with faint stripes and minute pubescence, up to 5⁄8 inch 

(16 mm) long. HABITAT: often found in pure stands associated 

with dry sandy, barren, 

and rocky hillsides, or 

mountainous terrain. 

DISTRIBUTION: 

Maine to North Carolina. 

COMMENTARY: Bear 

oak is a transition species 

that depends upon 

stand disturbance. Fire 

promotes this species. 

Acorns provide food 

for wildlife, especially 

turkey and grouse. The 

Iroquois peoples used 

bear oak for treating 

gynecological problems. 

The largest known bear 

oak grows near Romney, 

Hampshire County, West 

Virginia.
- 40 - 

GROWTH FORM: medium tree which 

normally grows to 65 feet (19.8 m), 

occasionally to 105 feet (32 m), and has a 

rounded crown. BARK: grayish-brown 

with shallow fissures becoming scaly 

ridges, pinkish inner bark. TWIGS and 

BUDS: twigs are smooth and brown or 

slightly pubescent; large terminal bud 

is brown and 5-angled in cross-section, 

scales are pubescent with ciliated edges. 

LEAVES: smooth petiole to 3⁄4 inch (19 

mm); ovate and widest near the middle, 

3 1⁄8 - 8 inches (79 - 203 mm) long, 5⁄8 - 3 inches (16 - 76 mm) wide, 

margin entire and may be slightly wavy and turned under, base obtuse, 

apex obtuse and tipped with one bristle, shiny dark green above, light 

whitish-green with uniform pubescence below. ACORNS: biennial; 

1 - 2 formed on 

stout peduncle, 

cup minutely 

pubescent on 

outer surface, 

inner surface is 

Quercus imbricaria Michaux

Shingle oak

laurel oak
- 41 -

smooth and tan to reddish-brown, enclosing 

up to 1⁄2 of nut; nearly round nut, 3⁄8 - 3⁄4 inch 

(10 - 19 mm) long, chestnut-brown with 

faint stripes, and concentric rings around 

apex. HABITAT: moderately dry to moist 

soils. DISTRIBUTION: Iowa south to 

Louisiana, east to North Carolina, and north to 

Massachusetts.

COMMENTARY: The common name of this oak refers to the use of 

its wood as shingles by early settlers. The Cherokee people used the 

bark of shingle oak as medication. The largest shingle oak grows in 

Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio.
- 42 - 

GROWTH FORM: shrub or small 

tree that grows up to 55 feet (16.8 m), 

with irregular spreading open crown, 

often forming thickets. BARK: thick 

dark gray to black, wide furrows 

forming rough square plates. TWIGS 

and BUDS: brown twigs, densely 

pubescent when young; reddish-brown 

buds, narrowly ovoid and 5-angled in 

cross-section, often with hairs at apex. 

LEAVES: short, pubescent petiole 

less than 3⁄8 inch (10 mm) long; leaf 

is narrowly ovate to elliptical, 1 1⁄8 - 4 

inches (29 - 101 mm) long 1⁄2 - 1 3⁄8 

inches (13 - 35 mm) 

wide, base acute to 

rounded, apex acute 

with a bristle-tip, 

margin is entire 

(juvenile foliage 

may have 2 - 3 

shallow lobes), thick 

and leathery, upper 

surface shiny bluishgreen with raised 

veins and sparsely 

pubescent along 

midrib, pubescence 

beneath with axillary 

Quercus incana Bartram

Bluejack oak

sandjack oak, upland willow oak,

cinnamon oak, shin oak, 

turkey oak
- 43 -

tufts of hair. ACORNS: biennial; 1 - 2 nuts 

sessile or on peduncle of less than 1⁄4 inch 

(6 mm); cup with pale pubescent reddishbrown scales, inner surface pubescent, cup 

usually bowl shaped, covering up to 1⁄2 of 

nut; oval, brown nut with faint stripes, 3⁄8 - 5⁄8

inches (10 - 16 mm) long. HABITAT: welldrained sandy soils of barrens and ridges. 

DISTRIBUTION: Texas and Oklahoma east 

to Florida and Virginia.

COMMENTARY: Bluejack oak acorns provide food for birds, 

squirrels, raccoons, and deer. The largest known specimen grows in 

Pasco County, Florida.
- 44 - 

GROWTH FORM: 

evergreen shrub that 

grows to 16 feet tall 

(4.9 m). BARK: 

light gray. TWIGS 

and BUDS: light to 

dark purplish-brown, 

twigs may have slight 

pubescence, terminal 

buds somewhat ovoid 

with a blunt tip, 

5-angled in cross section. LEAVES: smooth or sparsely pubescent 

petiole 1⁄8 - 3⁄8 inch (3 - 10 mm) in length; leaves are elliptical to ovate 

or spatulate, 1 1⁄2 - 3 3⁄8 inches (38 - 86 mm) long and 1 - 1 3⁄4 inches 

(25 - 44 mm) wide, base is acute to rounded; upper surface is smooth 

or rugose, convex 

with an entire 

margin, may have 

scattered hairs 

along midrib, lower 

surface with a light 

scurfy pubescence, 

often covered 

with ascocarps of 

fungi. ACORNS: 

biennial; cup with 

pubescent scales, 

inner surface half 

or more pubescent, 

Quercus inopina Ashe

Florida oak
- 45 -

cup covering 1⁄3 - 1⁄2 of nut; oval to elliptical 

nut, up to 5⁄8 inch (16 mm) in length. 

HABITAT: sandhill ridges or upland terraces 

in scrub communities. DISTRIBUTION: 

restricted to localized areas in central Florida.

COMMENTARY: Florida oak is a conservation concern and rated 

indeterminate by IUCN.
- 46 - 

GROWTH FORM: small to medium 

tree, which grows up to 60 feet (18.3 

mm). BARK: light gray with shallow 

furrows and scaly ridges. TWIGS 

and BUDS: young twigs are gray 

and pubescent, mature limbs become 

smooth and reddish-brown; smooth, 

brown ovoid buds. LEAVES: petiole 

varies from 1⁄8 - 1⁄2 inch (3 - 13 mm) 

long; leaf blade is obovate or elliptical, 

1 1⁄2 - 3 1⁄2 inches (38 - 89 mm) long, 

1 1⁄8 - 2 1⁄2 inches (29 - 63 mm) wide, 

margin of the leaf is entire or with 

shallow lobes, trees growing on moist 

sites may have leaves with deep 

lobes that resemble white oak (Q. alba), secondary veins often end 

in a tooth, apex rounded; smooth, green above, juvenile leaves have 

a white pubescence beneath, mature leaves become smooth beneath. 

ACORNS: 

annual; 

1 - 3 acorns 

on a short 

peduncle up 

to 3⁄8 inch 

(10 mm) 

in length, 

saucershaped 

cup with 

pubescent 

scales, 

Quercus laceyi Small

Lacey oak

canyon oak, smoky oak,

 rock oak
- 47 -

covers up to 1⁄3 of the nut; oblong or barrel-shaped nut, usually blunt 

at both ends, up to 3⁄4 inch (19 mm) long. HABITAT: often found 

associated with limestone outcrops, woodland, and riparian zones with 

mixed stands of ash, basswood and other oaks, a component of the 

pine-juniper-madrone-oak forest type of northern Mexico at elevations 

between 6,000 - 8,200 feet (1,830 - 2,500 m). DISTRIBUTION: 

restricted to southern and southwestern parts of the Edwards Plateau 

in Texas and in the Mexican states of Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, and 

Tamaulipas.

COMMENTARY: Named for Howard Lacey, who first collected 

specimens on his property near Kerrville, Texas. Lacey oak has 

no commercial value but does provide habitat for wildlife, and is 

sometimes used for fuel. The largest known Lacey oak grows in 

Blanco County, Texas.
- 48 - 

GROWTH FORM: shrub 

or small tree normally 

growing to 43 feet (13 m), 

occasionally to 72 feet 

(21.9 m) in height; tree has 

irregular open crown with 

crooked branches. BARK: 

gray to dark gray, mature bark is deeply furrowed with irregular 

ridges, reddish inner bark. TWIGS and BUDS: dark chestnut-brown 

twigs with a gray cast, sparsely pubescent, chestnut-brown bark with 

pubescence; narrowly ovoid buds. LEAVES: smooth petiole 1⁄4 - 1 

inch (6 - 25 mm) long; leaf blade broadly ovate or triangular in outline; 

4 - 8 inches (101 - 203 mm) long, 3 1⁄8 - 6 inches (79 - 153 mm) wide 

near middle, base is acute or rounded and decurrent on petiole, margin 

with 3 - 7 lobes which looks similar to a turkey’s foot, usually with 

1 - 3 bristle-tipped teeth, sinuses between lobes are deep; leaf surface 

is smooth and 

light green 

above, paler 

green below with 

axillary tufts 

of reddish hair, 

raised veins on 

both surfaces. 

ACORNS: 

biennial; 

nearly sessile 

short-stalked 

peduncle; cup 

Quercus laevis Walter

Turkey oak

Catesby oak, 

Coastal Plain scrub oak, 

scrub oak, 

turkey-foot oak
- 49 -

has pubescent scales with 

red margins, pubescent inner 

surface, goblet-shaped cup 

covering 1⁄3 of nut; broadly 

elliptical, light brown nut 

with faint stripes, 3⁄4 - 11⁄8

inch (19 - 29 mm) long, tip 

often covered with short 

white pubescence. HABITAT: dry sandy and 

well-drained soils on ridges in the southeastern 

coastal plain. DISTRIBUTION: Louisiana east 

to Florida and north to Virginia.

COMMENTARY: Turkey oak is well adapted to drought stress and 

fire. It has no commercial value, but acorns provide food for turkey, 

deer, and small mammals. This species is similar to Q. falcata in leaf 

shape and can be distinguished by the tapered leaf base and axillary 

tufts, whereas the southern red oak leaves have a u-shaped base and 

pubescence covering the entire lower leaf surface. The largest known 

specimen of turkey oak grows in Pasco County, Florida.
- 50 - 

GROWTH FORM: semi-evergreen 

with leaves retained until the following 

spring; short-lived medium tree that 

grows up to 80 feet (24.4 m) with a 

dense rounded crown. BARK: dark 

brown, mature bark turning black with 

deep furrows and broad flat ridges. 

TWIGS and BUDS: smooth reddishbrown twigs; buds are ovoid, pointed 

and covered with shiny chestnut-brown 

scales. LEAVES: short, smooth petiole 

up to 1⁄4 inch (6 mm) long; leaf blade 

broadly elliptical and thin, 1 1⁄4 - 4 3⁄4

inches (32 - 121 mm) long, 5⁄8 - 1 3⁄4 inches (16 - 44 mm) wide, base 

cuneate, bristle-tipped acute apex, may be irregularly 3-lobed, shiny 

green upper 

surface and 

pale green 

below with a 

yellow midrib, 

both surfaces 

are smooth. 

Quercus laurifolia Michaux

Swamp laurel oak

laurel oak, Darlington oak, 

diamond-leaf oak, laurel-leaf oak, 

water oak, obtuse oak
- 51 -

ACORNS: biennial; nearly sessile, 

saucer-like cup with pubescent scales and 

pubescent inner surface, enclosing up to 

1⁄4 of nut; nearly round dark brown nut, 

5⁄8 inch (16 mm) in length. HABITAT: 

moist soils of the southeastern coastal 

plain and associated with typical mesic 

hardwoods. DISTRIBUTION: Texas 

east to Florida and north to Virginia. 

COMMENTARY: Swamp laurel oak is often used as an ornamental 

in the South. President L. B. Johnson planted one at the White House 

in Washington, DC. The largest known specimens of swamp laurel 

oak are growing in Norfolk County, Virginia, and Okaloosa County, 

Florida.
- 52 - 

GROWTH FORM: medium 

to large slow growing tree up to 

80 feet (24.4 m), occasionally 

to 155 feet (47.2 m), with a 

rounded crown. BARK: gray 

with deep furrows and scaly 

ridges or plates. TWIGS and 

BUDS: grayish pubescent 

twigs becoming smooth with 

age; ovoid buds with light brown pubescent scales. LEAVES: petiole 

3⁄4 inch (19 mm) in length; leaf blade narrowly oblong, 4 - 6 1⁄2 inches 

(101 - 165 mm) long, 2 - 4 inches (51 - 101 mm) wide, base cuneate 

to acute, margins deeply lobed with sinuses greater than 1⁄2 way to 

midrib, lobes rounded with 1 - 3 teeth; surface dark green (may be 

shiny) above, and pubescent grayish-green below, with a whitish 

bloom that rubs off. ACORNS: annual; 1 1⁄2 inch (38 mm) peduncle 

with 1 - 2 acorns; spheroid shaped cup with gray pubescent scales, 

covering most 

of the nut; 

light brown, 

ovoid or 

oblong nut, 

1 - 2 inches 

(25 - 51 mm) 

long, finely 

Quercus lyrata Walter

Overcup oak

swamp post oak, water white 

oak, swamp white oak
- 53 -

pubescent. HABITAT: restricted 

to poorly-drained lowlands of the 

Southern coastal plain and major 

rivers of the South and mid West. 

DISTRIBUTION: Delaware and 

New Jersey south to Florida, west 

to Texas, and north through the 

Mississippi Valley and drainages to 

Iowa, Illinois and Indiana.

COMMENTARY: This oak species is often utilized as white oak 

lumber. The largest known specimen of overcup oak grows in Bertie 

County, North Carolina.
- 54 - 

GROWTH FORM: slow growing, 

large tree that grows to 100 feet 

(30.5 m), with a massive trunk, 

broad crown, and large branches. 

BARK: thick light gray bark, deep 

furrows producing scaly ridges, fire 

resistant. TWIGS and BUDS: 

pubescent light brown twigs with 

corky wings or ridges; ovoid light 

brown to gray buds, smooth 1⁄4 inch 

(6 mm) long. LEAVES: petiole 

5⁄8 - 1 inch (16 - 25 mm) in length; leaf blade is obovate to narrowly 

elliptical in outline, 2 3⁄4 - 6 inches (70 - 152 mm) long, 2 - 5 inches 

(51 - 127 mm) wide, 5 - 7 lobed with 

center sinuses nearly reaching midrib, 

base rounded to cuneate, rounded 

apex; dark green above, grayish-green 

with finely dense pubescence below. 

ACORNS: annual; 1 - 3 acorns on 

stout peduncle 1⁄4 - 3⁄4 inch (6 - 19 mm) 

long; deep cup with 

grayish pubescent 

scales, scales near 

cup rim forming a 

fringe around the 

nut, enclosing 1⁄2 - 7⁄8

of nut; light brown, 

broadly elliptical nut, 

finely pubescent, 1 - 2 

inches (25 - 51 mm) 

Quercus macrocarpa Michaux

Bur oak

mossy-cup oak, blue oak, 

prairie oak, 

mossy-overcup oak
- 55 -

long. HABITAT: widely distributed 

and capable of withstanding a wide 

range of harsh conditions (one of the 

most drought resistant oaks) throughout 

eastern North America; usually found 

on limestone or calcareous clay. 

DISTRIBUTION: Saskatchewan east to 

New Brunswick, southwest to Texas, and 

north to Montana.

COMMENTARY: Bur oak extends farther north than any other oak 

species and becomes shrubby at the northern and eastern limits of its 

range. This oak’s wood quality is similar to white oak and is often 

used for construction, flooring, and cooperage. The common name 

is derived from the bur-like fringe of the acorn cup. Many bur oaks 

are historically important and one has been designated as a National 

Historic Landmark in Kansas. Native Americans used bur oak as 

medication for heart problems and other ailments. The largest known 

specimen grows near Parris, Bourbon County, Kentucky.
- 56 - 

GROWTH FORM: shrub 

or small tree, occasionally 

rhizomatous, slow growing 

with dense rounded crown, 

normally grows to 32 feet 

(9.8 m), occasionally to 87 

feet (26.5 m). BARK: light 

gray, shallow fissures with 

scaly ridges. TWIGS and 

BUDS: smooth slender gray 

twigs; reddish-brown terminal 

bud, ovoid with pointed apex, 

smooth or sparsely pubescent. LEAVES: short petiole 1⁄8 - 3⁄8 inch 

(3 - 10 mm) long; leaf blade cruciform in outline, 1 1⁄2 - 3 inches 

(38 - 76 mm) long, 3⁄4 - 1 1⁄2 inches (19 - 38 mm) wide; moderate to 

deep 5-lobed margin, base cuneate to rounded, apex broadly rounded, 

lobes 

rounded; 

shiny dark 

green above, 

light green 

and densely 

Quercus margaretta Ashe

Sand post oak

dwarf post oak, runner oak, 

scrubby post oak, post oak 
- 57 -

pubescent below. 

ACORNS: annual; 1 - 3 acorns 

are sessile or produced on a 

peduncle up to 3⁄4 inch (19 mm); 

globe shaped gray pubescent 

cup, enclosing 3⁄4 of the nut; light 

brown nut ovoid with rounded 

apex, 5⁄8 - 1 inch (16 - 25 mm) 

long. HABITAT: understory 

or open-grown species on 

deep sandy and gravel soils in 

southern oak-pine forest types. 

DISTRIBUTION: Texas, 

Oklahoma and Missouri, east to Florida, and Virginia.

COMMENTARY: Sand post oak provides a suitable habitat for 

wildlife species. Acorns provide food for turkeys and other game 

birds. The largest known sand post oak grows in Florida Caverns State 

Park near Marianna, Jackson County, Florida.
- 58 - 

GROWTH FORM: small 

to medium sized tree usually 

between 15 - 45 feet (4.6 - 19.8 

m), occasionally to 95 feet 

(28.9 m), with an open irregular 

spreading crown of crooked 

branches and some dead twigs, 

slow growing and short lived. 

BARK: thick rough bark, 

nearly black, with deep furrows, 

mature bark forming irregular or rectangular plates, orange inner bark. 

TWIGS and BUDS: light brown twigs, finely pubescent; narrowly 

ovoid pointed buds, reddish-brown pubescent scales, 5-angled in cross 

section. LEAVES: pubescent petiole 1⁄4 - 3⁄4 inch (6 - 19 mm) long; 

leaf broadly triangular and widest near tip, 2 3⁄4 - 8 inches 

(70 - 203 mm) long, 2 3⁄4 - 8 inches (70 - 203 mm) wide, leathery, base 

rounded, thickened blade with 3 - 5 broad lobes, with 1 - 3 bristletipped teeth, apex obtuse; glossy yellowish-green above, pale green 

with dense brown pubescence (scurfy) below, secondary veins raised 

on both surfaces. 

ACORNS: 

biennial, 1 - 2 

acorns on a short 

stalk, reddishbrown topshaped cup with 

pubescent scales, 

inner surface 

pubescent, 

enclosing 1⁄3 - 2⁄3 

Quercus marilandica Muenchhausen

Blackjack oak

barren oak, black oak, 

jack oak
- 59 -

of the nut; long elliptical nut, 

1⁄2 - 3⁄4 inches (13 - 19 mm) in 

length, often faintly striped, 

ends in a stout point at the tip. 

HABITAT: usually exists on 

rather poor sites with dry sandy 

or clay soils in the central 

and southern forest regions. 

DISTRIBUTION: Iowa east to New Jersey and 

Long Island, New York, south to Florida, west to 

Texas, and north to Nebraska.

COMMENTARY: Blackjack oak is one of the few species of red 

oaks that shares the white oak group characteristic of vessels blocked 

by tyloses. This oak is considered a pioneer species. It is not a high 

value timber species, but the wood is used for railroad ties, fence 

posts, and charcoal. The Latin name originated from the description 

of specimens collected in Maryland. Western populations in Texas 

and Oklahoma are often recognized as Q. marilandica var. asheri. 

Choctaw people used blackjack oak as medication to aid in childbirth. 

The largest known specimen grows in Peach County, Georgia.
- 60 - 

GROWTH FORM: large tree 

growing to 48 - 100 feet (15 - 30.5 m), 

occasionally to 155 feet (47.2 m), with 

a compact rounded crown and chestnut 

like foliage, often with a limbless trunk 

to 40 feet (12.2 m). BARK: light 

gray, rough, flaky ridges. TWIGS 

and BUDS: juvenile growth is green, 

progressing to brown during the first 

winter and turning gray during second year; ovoid, reddish-brown bud, 

apex may be blunt or pointed, sparsely pubescent scales. LEAVES: 

short petiole 1⁄4 - 3⁄4 inch (6 - 19 mm) long; obovate leaves widest 

beyond the middle, 2 3⁄4 - 11 inches (70 - 279 mm) long, 2 - 7 inches 

(51 - 178 mm) wide, wavy margin with 9 - 14 pair of rounded teeth, 

base acuminate, apex broadly rounded with an abruptly pointed tip; 

shiny dark green above, grayish-green with dense pubescence (felty 

to the touch) below. ACORNS: annual; 1 - 3 on peduncle 

1⁄2 - 1 1⁄4 inches (13 - 32 mm) long; deep, bowl-shaped cup with brown 

pubescent scales, enclosing 1⁄2 of nut; light to dark brown, ovoid nut, 

1 - 1 3⁄8 inches 

(25 - 35 

mm) long. 

HABITAT: 

occurs on a

variety of moist 

soils and welldrained alluvial 

floodplains 

in the central 

and southern 

forest regions. 

Quercus michauxii Nuttall

Swamp chestnut oak

basket oak, cow oak
- 61 -

DISTRIBUTION: 

Illinois east to 

New Jersey, south 

to Florida, west to 

Texas, and north to 

Missouri.

COMMENTARY: Named for French botanist, Frances A. Michaux, 

who wrote a three volume treatise on the trees of eastern North 

America. Swamp chestnut oak is considered an early succession 

species with mature trees retarding growth of understory vegetation 

due to an allelopathic effect. The acorns are food for humans, cattle, 

deer, and small mammals. The nuts are sweet enough to eat raw 

without boiling. Two of these common names were derived from 

its use for basket material and as food for cows. The largest known 

swamp chestnut oak grows in Fayette County, Alabama.
- 62 - 

GROWTH FORM: 

rhizomatous shrub, tardily 

deciduous or evergreen, 3 feet 

(0.9 m), forming thickets of 

unbranched stems. BARK: 

smooth, brown to light gray. 

TWIGS and BUDS: light 

gray, smooth twigs in second 

year; small globe shaped bud, 

dark brown to grayish-brown 

scales. LEAVES: very short 

petiole 1⁄8 - 1⁄4 inch (3 - 6 mm) long; obovate or oblanceolate leaf, 

1 1⁄2 - 4 3⁄4 inches (38 - 121 mm) long, 3⁄4 - 2 inches (19 - 51 mm) 

wide, base cuneate, apex acute to rounded, margins flat or slightly 

wavy; glossy light to dark green above, light green with whitish 

bloom below. 

ACORNS: 

annual; 

1 - 3 acorns 

on peduncle 

1⁄8 - 1 1⁄8 inches 

(3 - 29 mm) 

long, gobletshaped cup 

with grayish 

scales, with or 

without minute 

pubescence, 

encloses up 

to 1⁄2 of nut; 

narrowly 

Quercus minima (Sargent) Small

Dwarf live oak

minimal oak
- 63 -

oval, dark brown nut, 

5⁄8 - 1 inch (16 - 25 

mm) long. HABITAT: 

pine and scrub forests 

on deep sandy soils. 

DISTRIBUTION: 

Louisiana east to Florida, 

and north to North 

Carolina.

COMMENTARY: Dwarf live oak is maintained to provide food and 

shelter for wildlife in habitats where fire is used as a tool to reduce 

competing vegetation in longleaf and slash pine management. This 

oak species can produce acorns at 3 years of age.
- 64 - 

GROWTH FORM: evergreen 

or deciduous shrub, rhizomatous 

and usually forming thickets, 

occasionally forms a small tree to 20 

feet (6.1 m) with irregular spreading 

crown. BARK: thick gray bark 

with rough scaly ridges. TWIGS 

and BUDS: densely pubescent 

grayish-brown twigs, blunt ovoid 

buds with light brown to chestnut 

pubescent scales. LEAVES: short 

petiole to 1⁄4 inch (6 mm); thick 

and leathery oblong to elliptical, 1 1⁄8 - 3 inches (29 - 76 mm) long, 

3⁄4 - 1 1⁄4 inches (19 - 32 mm) wide, rounded base, apex rounded or 

acute, margin usually entire and wavy, may have a few teeth, shiny 

dark green above, grayish pubescence beneath with prominent raised 

secondary veins. ACORNS: annual; 1 - 2 acorns produced on a 

peduncle to 5⁄8 inch (16 mm); deep 

cup with pubescent scales, and 

enclosing 1⁄2

of nut; oval 

to broadly 

elliptical, 

brown nut 

to 5⁄8 inch 

(16 mm) 

in length. 

HABITAT: 

limestone 

soils in 

the Lower 

Quercus mohriana Buckley

Mohr oak

shin oak, scrub oak
- 65 -

Sonoran Life Zone, at 

elevations between 2000 - 

4000 feet (610 - 1219 m). 

DISTRIBUTION: Oklahoma and New Mexico south to Texas and 

northern Mexico (Coahuila and Nuevo Leon).

COMMENTARY: Named for botanist, Charles Mohr, who wrote 

about the flora of Alabama. Mohr oak provides good habitat for 

wildlife. The largest known specimen grows in the Guadalupe 

Mountains National Park, Texas.
- 66 - 

GROWTH FORM: medium 

to large tree, 65 - 145 feet (19.8 

- 44.2 m), broad open and 

irregular crown, chestnut like 

foliage. BARK: dark reddishbrown to dark gray, mature bark 

with deep v-shaped furrows 

producing broad ridges. TWIGS 

and BUDS: stout twigs, dark 

green to reddish-brown; light 

brown to reddish-brown ovoid bud, pointed apex, bud scales may have 

slight pubescence. LEAVES: yellow petiole 3⁄8 - 1 1⁄4 inches (10 - 32 

mm) long; leaf blade obovate, 4 3⁄4 - 8 inches 

(121 - 203 mm) long, 2 3⁄8 - 4 inches (60 - 101 

mm) wide, margins have 10 - 14 rounded teeth, 

base subacute, apex broadly acuminate; thick 

firm blade, shiny dark yellowish-green above, 

light green 

with slight 

pubescence 

along veins 

below. 

ACORNS: 

annual; 

1 - 2 acorns on 

peduncle 

3⁄8 - 1 inch 

(10 - 25 mm) 

long; cup has 

gray scales 

Quercus montana Willdenow

Chestnut oak

rock chestnut oak, 

mountain chestnut oak, 

rock oak, tanbark oak
- 67 -

with red tips, pubescent inner surface, 

encloses 1⁄3 - 1⁄2 of nut; chestnut-brown, 

long oval nut, 3⁄4 - 1 1⁄2 inches (19 - 38 

mm) long. HABITAT: shallow soils, 

dry sandy soils, and rocky upland 

forests. DISTRIBUTION: southern 

Ontario, south to Louisiana, east to 

Georgia, and north to Maine.

COMMENTARY: The bark of chestnut oak has a high tannin 

concentration and was once used for tanning leather. Thus the 

common name ‘tanbark oak.’ Acorns provide a food source for turkey, 

rough grouse, songbirds, deer, and small mammals. This species is 

commonly referred to as Q. prinus in forestry literature. The largest 

known chestnut oak grows in the Great Smoky Mountains National 

Park, Tennessee.
- 68 - 

GROWTH FORM: medium 

to large tree 45 - 110 feet 

(19.8 - 33.5 m), narrow rounded 

crown. BARK: light gray, 

thin and scaly. TWIGS and 

BUDS: slender, brown twigs 

turning gray in second year; 

reddish-brown terminal bud, broadly ovate with a blunt apex, sparsely 

pubescent. LEAVES: smooth petiole 3⁄8 - 1 1⁄4 inches (10 - 32 mm) 

long; leaf blade obovate to oblanceolate, 2 - 6 inches (51 - 152 mm) 

long, 1 1⁄2 - 3 1⁄8 inches (38 - 79 mm) wide, thickened and leathery, 

margins regularly undulate, numerous parallel side veins, each ending 

in a tooth or shallow lobe, base truncate 

or cuneate, apex pointed; shiny dark green 

above, light green with minute pubescence 

below. ACORNS: annual; 1 - 2 acorns on 

peduncle 1⁄4 inch (6 mm) in length; thin cup 

with gray 

pubescence, 

covering 1⁄4 - 

1⁄2 of the nut; 

light brown, 

oblong to 

ovoid nut, 

5⁄8 - 1 inch 

(15 - 25 mm) 

long. 

Quercus muehlenbergii Engelmann

Chinkapin oak

chestnut oak, 

yellow chestnut oak, 

yellow oak, 

rock chestnut oak, rock oak
- 69 -

HABITAT: limestone and calcareous 

soils in mixed deciduous and pine forests. 

DISTRIBUTION: Vermont west to Ontario 

and Minnesota, southwest to New Mexico and 

northeastern Mexico (Chihuahua, Coahuila, 

Nuevo Leon, and Tamaulipas), east to Florida, 

and north to Massachusetts. 

COMMENTARY: Chinkapin oak was named after the botanist Henry 

Muehlenberg. This oak’s shrubby growth is associated with poor 

environmental conditions at the extreme edges of its distribution. This 

oak species is localized throughout its range and seems dependent 

upon soil type and a pH above 6.0. It can readily reproduce by 

sprouts. Chinkapin oak can be separated from Q. prinoides on the 

same site by its single stem and sparse acorn production. The largest 

known chinkapin oak grows in Clark County, Kentucky.
- 70 - 

GROWTH FORM: evergreen 

shrub or small tree that grows 

to 36 feet (11 m), rounded 

crown has crooked branches 

and a tendency to form thickets. 

BARK: gray and smooth, 

becoming furrowed with 

age. TWIGS and BUDS: 

pubescent reddish-brown twigs; ovoid buds that narrow to a point, 

reddish-brown scales, sometimes with pubescent tan tufts at apex. 

LEAVES: very short smooth petiole to 1⁄4 inch (6 mm); leaves are 

narrow to broadly obovate, 5⁄8 - 2 inches (16 - 51 mm) long, 3⁄8 - 1 

inch (10 - 25 mm) wide, base rounded, apex rounded or with a bristletipped tooth, thick and leathery, margins with edges turned under and 

Quercus myrtifolia Willdenow

Myrtle oak

scrub oak
- 71 -

occasionally wavy; shiny dark green 

above, light green beneath with axillary 

tomentum and some specimens have a 

yellowish scurfy bloom. ACORNS: 

biennial; 1 - 2 acorns on each peduncle, 

goblet-shaped, pubescent gray cup 

covering 1⁄4 - 1⁄3 of the nut, inner surface 

pubescent; nut almost round, 1⁄4 - 1⁄2 inch 

(6 - 13 mm) long, dark brown when 

mature. HABITAT: dry sandy ridges in 

mixed stands of yellow pines and dry-site 

hardwoods; usually the most abundant 

species in scrub oak forests of Q. incana, Q. laevis, Q. marilandica, 

Q. margaretta, Q. geminata, and Q. virginiana.

DISTRIBUTION: South Carolina, south to Florida, and west to 

Mississippi at sea level on the Coastal Plain.

COMMENTARY: Myrtle oak is most abundant on islands off the 

coasts of Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. The largest known 

specimen of myrtle oak grew in Fort Clinch State Park, Nassau 

County, Florida, until its recent death.
- 72 - 

GROWTH FORM: medium to large 

tree with a slender trunk and rounded 

crown that can grow to 120 feet (36.6 

m); leaves usually retained during the 

winter. BARK: light brown to black 

with furrows producing scaly ridges 

on mature bark. TWIGS and BUDS: 

smooth red twigs, chestnut-brown, 

ovoid bud with pubescent scales and a 

pointed apex. LEAVES: short smooth 

petiole 1⁄8 - 3⁄8 inch (3 - 10 mm) long; 

obovate or oblong leaves widest near 

apex, 1 1⁄4 - 4 3⁄4 inches (32 - 121 mm) long, 5⁄8 - 2 1⁄2 inches 

(16 - 63 mm) wide, base cuneate, margin entire, 2 - 3 bristle-tipped 

lobes, dull green above, pale green with axillary pubescent tufts below. 

ACORNS: biennial; 1 - 2 acorns with a short peduncle, shallow cup 

with pubescent 

outer and inner 

surface, covers 

up to 1⁄4 of nut; 

nearly round 

Quercus nigra Linnaeus

Water oak

possum oak, spotted oak, 

pin oak, red oak
- 73 -

nut, 3⁄8 - 5⁄8 inch (10 - 16 mm) long, nearly 

black at maturity, often with faint stripes. 

HABITAT: found on wet lowland to 

moist upland soils. DISTRIBUTION: 

New Jersey south to Florida, west to 

Texas, north to Missouri, and east to 

Virginia.

COMMENTARY: Water oak is a short to moderately long-lived 

tree, often used as a rapidly growing shade tree in the South. Not a 

high value commercial species because of excessive splitting, but its 

wood is utilized as rough construction lumber. Acorns provide food 

for turkey, ducks, quail, deer, and other small mammals. The two 

largest known specimens of water oak are located in Jones County, 

Mississippi, and near Ferriday, Concordia Parish, Louisiana.
- 74 - 

GROWTH FORM: medium to large 

tree, which can grow to 80 feet (24.4 

m), straight trunk with occurrence of 

epicormic branching, crooked-branched 

crown. BARK: light gray, shallow 

furrows with scaly ridges. TWIGS and 

BUDS: twigs smooth, purplish-brown 

with conspicuous lenticels; rounded 

buds with chestnut-brown to dark gray 

pubescent scales. LEAVES: short 

petiole 1⁄8 - 1⁄4 inch (3 - 6 mm) long; 

narrowly elliptical to obovate, margins 

entire or slightly undulating near apex, 

sometimes wavy, slightly rounded at both ends; dull dark green 

above, yellowish-green with velvety pubescence below. ACORNS: 

annual; 1 - 2 acorns on a peduncle of 1⁄4 inch (6 mm) or less, short 

cup has gray scales with tan pubescence, covers up to 1⁄3 of the nut; 

Quercus oglethorpensis Duncan

Oglethorpe oak
- 75 -

ovoid (egg-shaped) nut, 3⁄8 - 3⁄4 inch 

(10 - 19 mm) long, dark grayishbrown with a covering of short fine 

soft hairs. HABITAT: moist soils 

and drained terraces along streams, 

and in loblolly pine-hardwood 

sites. DISTRIBUTION: localized 

populations in South Carolina, 

Georgia, Mississippi, and Louisiana.

COMMENTARY: Oglethorpe oak is a relatively new species 

described in 1940 and named after specimens first collected from 

Oglethorpe County, Georgia. This oak is a poor producer of 

acorns and subject to fire damage. The IUCN considers this oak a 

conservation concern and has categorized it as vulnerable. The largest 

known Oglethorpe oak grows near Lexington in Oglethorpe County, 

Georgia.
- 76 - 

GROWTH FORM: one of 

the largest and fastest growing 

of the southern red oaks, often 

reaching heights of 130 feet 

(39.6 m). BARK: nearly black 

with short scaly ridges. TWIGS 

and BUDS: light brown 

pubescent twigs, ovoid bud with 

light chestnut-brown pubescent 

scales, 5-angled in cross section. 

LEAVES: smooth petiole 3⁄4 - 2 inches (19 - 51 mm) in length; leaf 

ovate or obovate, 3 1⁄2 - 12 inches (89 - 305 mm) long, 2 3⁄8 - 6 1⁄4

inches (60 - 159 mm) wide, base cuneate to rounded, apex acute, 

margin with 5 - 11 lobes ending in 1 - 3 bristle-tipped teeth, middle 

lobes usually spread at 

right angles to the midrib, 

shiny dark green above, 

pale gray pubescence 

below, secondary veins 

raised on both surfaces. 

ACORNS: biennial; 

1 - 2 acorns on each 

peduncle, chestnut-brown 

cup with pubescent 

scales, inner surface 

pubescent, covers 

1⁄3 - 1⁄2 of the nut; rounded 

brown nut with short 

Quercus pagoda Rafinesque

Cherrybark oak

bottomland red oak, red oak, 

swamp red oak, 

swamp Spanish oak, 

Elliott oak, scalybark oak
- 77 -

fine pubescence and faint 

stripes, 5⁄8 inch (16 mm) 

long. HABITAT: welldrained lowland soils in 

the bottomland hardwood 

types. DISTRIBUTION: 

Maryland south to Florida, 

west to eastern Texas, and 

north to southern Illinois.

COMMENTARY: Cherrybark oak is a valuable timber species 

because of its large size and fast growth, but a tree usually takes 25 

years to produce a crop of acorns. Its common name derives from the 

resemblance of its bark to that of black cherry. The two largest known 

cherrybark oaks grow in Westmoreland County and Sussex County, 

Virginia.
- 78 - 

GROWTH FORM: medium to 

large tree 50 - 130 feet (15.2 - 39.6 

m), somewhat conical crown with 

horizontal inner branches and lower 

branches angled downward. BARK: 

gray-brown, smooth juvenile bark, 

mature bark with broad scaly ridges, 

pink inner bark. TWIGS and BUDS: 

twigs shiny chestnut-brown; ovoid bud 

with pointed apex, chestnut-brown 

scales. LEAVES: smooth petiole 

3⁄4 - 2 1⁄2 inches (19 - 63 mm) long; 

elliptical to oblong leaf, 2 - 6 1⁄4 inches (51 - 159 mm) long, 2 - 4 3⁄4

inches (51 - 121 mm) wide, base truncate, apex acute, margin with 

5 - 7 lobes with 1 - 3 bristle-tipped teeth, deep sinuses nearly to the 

midvein, basal lobes somewhat recurved; glossy dark green above, 

light green below with axillary tuffs or tomentum next to raised veins. 

ACORNS: 

biennial, clusters 

of 1 - 2 acorns on 

each peduncle, 

thin reddishbrown cup, 

smooth scales, 

enclosing 1⁄4 of 

the nut; rounded 

nut, 5⁄8 inch (16 

mm) in length, 

light brown and 

often striped. 

Quercus palustris Muenchhausen

Pin oak

swamp oak, Spanish oak, 

swamp Spanish oak, water oak
- 79 -

HABITAT: wet-site 

species found in nearly 

pure stands on poorlydrained soils; usually 

tolerates intermittent 

flooding during the 

dormant season but 

not during the growing 

season; extensive stands 

of pin oak are found on glacial till, with 

excessive moisture during the winter and spring; not adapted to 

alkaline soils. DISTRIBUTION: Vermont and Ontario, south to 

North Carolina, west to Oklahoma, and north to Wisconsin.

COMMENTARY: Pin oak is extensively planted as an ornamental 

in North America and has been introduced into central and western 

Europe as a shade tree. It is noted for a shallow root system that 

allows easy transplanting. Native Americans used bark from this 

tree for medicine. The largest known pin oak grows in Bell County, 

Kentucky.
- 80 - 

GROWTH FORM: medium to large 

trees that grow to 140 feet (42.7 m), with 

a rounded crown and spur-like branches, 

long-lived with rapid growth and heavy 

acorn production. BARK: young bark is 

smooth and dark gray, mature bark with 

deep furrows and rough ridges, pink inner 

bark. TWIGS and BUDS: smooth red 

to chestnut-brown twigs; ovoid bud with 

pointed apex, smooth chestnut-brown scales. 

LEAVES: short smooth petiole up to 1⁄4

inch (6 mm) in length; narrowly oblong or 

lanceolate, 2 - 4 3⁄4 inches (51 - 121 mm) 

long, 3⁄8 - 1 inch (10 - 25 m) wide, margin 

entire with bristle-tipped apex, both base 

and apex are acute; light green and slightly 

shiny above, duller pale green below, some 

with grayish 

pubescence. 

ACORNS: 

biennial; 1 - 2 

nearly stalkless 

acorns, shallow 

saucer shaped cup 

with pubescent 

scales, light brown 

pubescent inner 

surface, enclosing 

up to 1⁄3 of the nut; 

nearly oval 

Quercus phellos Linnaeus

Willow oak

pin oak, peach oak, 

swamp willow oak, black oak
- 81 -

nut, 3⁄8 - 1⁄2 inch 

(10 - 13 mm) long, 

brown with 

faint stripes. 

HABITAT: moist 

alluvial soils along 

streams and rivers. 

DISTRIBUTION: 

New York, west to 

Missouri, south to 

Texas, east to Florida, and north to 

Delaware.

COMMENTARY: Willow oaks are easily transplanted because of 

their shallow root system. This oak’s acorns are an important food 

source for wildlife. The largest known specimen of willow oak grows 

in Thomaston, Upson County, Georgia.
- 82 - 

GROWTH FORM: rhizomatous 

shrub or a small tree to 25 feet 

(7.6 m). BARK: thin gray bark 

with furrows and scaly ridges. 

TWIGS and BUDS: grayish 

twigs, broadly rounded bud 

brown to chestnut-brown with 

a blunt apex, scales have some 

pubescence. LEAVES: shortpetiole 1⁄4 - 5⁄8 inch (6 - 16 mm); 

leathery leaves are obovate, 1 1⁄2 - 5 1⁄2 inches (38 - 140 mm), 3⁄4 - 2 

1⁄2 inches (19 - 63 mm), margin undulate or toothed with 3 - 8 pair 

of short rounded teeth, base cuneate, apex rounded; shiny dark green 

above, light green below with slight pubescence. ACORNS: annual; 

1 - 2 acorns 

on peduncle 

up to 3⁄8 inch 

(10 mm), thin 

cup with short 

gray pubescent 

scales, 

covering up 

to 1⁄3 of nut; 

oblong to oval 

light brown 

nut, up to 3⁄4

inch (19 mm) 

long. 

Quercus prinoides Willdenow

Dwarf chinkapin oak

scrub chestnut oak
- 83 -

HABITAT: dry rocky soils such as sandstone or shale outcrops 

associated with oak pine types. DISTRIBUTION: New Hampshire 

and Florida, westward to Iowa and Oklahoma.

COMMENTARY: Dwarf Chinkapin oak can produce acorns at 

3 - 5 years. The largest known dwarf chinkapin oak is growing in 

Richardson County, Nebraska.
- 84 - 

GROWTH FORM: small shrub, which 

grows to 3 feet (0.9 m); often holds its 

leaves during winter. BARK: gray to 

dark brown. TWIGS and BUDS: brown 

to chestnut-brown twigs with sparse 

to dense pubescence; chestnut-brown, 

ovoid buds, scales with ciliated margins. 

LEAVES: very short pubescent petiole 

up to 1⁄4 inch (6 mm); oblong to narrowly 

oblong leaf, 1 - 4 inches (25 - 101 mm) 

long, 3⁄8 - 1 1⁄4 inches (10 - 32 mm) wide, 

margin entire with revolute edges, base 

acute to rounded, apex acute to rounded 

with bristle; green above with impressed veins, slightly concave below 

with grayish-brown pubescence. ACORNS: annual; deep saucershaped cup with pubescent scales, inner surface pubescent, covers up 

to 2⁄3 of the nut; rounded to broadly oval nut, up to 5⁄8 inch (16 mm) in 

length. 

Quercus pumila Walter

Runner oak

running oak
- 85 -

HABITAT: dry 

sandy soils on 

the coastal plain. 

DISTRIBUTION: 

North Carolina to 

Florida, and west 

to Mississippi.

COMMENTARY: Runner oak responds with sprouting and increased 

acorn production when fire is used as a management tool for longleaf 

pine.
- 86 - 

GROWTH FORM: shrub or 

small tree that grows to a height 

of 10 feet (3.1 m), evergreen 

or subevergreen. BARK: thin 

light brown, papery and flaky. 

TWIGS and BUDS: young 

gray twigs are pubescent and 

become smooth with age; buds 

are dark chestnut-brown with 

sparse pubescence. LEAVES: 

short petiole up to 3⁄8 inch (10 

mm) in length; elliptic to oblong leaves, 3⁄8 - 3⁄4 inch (10 - 19 mm) 

wide, margins usually wavy and coarsely toothed or with spinose 

lobes; base rounded, apex acute or obtuse with mucronate tip; thick 

and leathery leaf blade, shinny yellowish-green with minute hairs 

Quercus pungens Liebmann

Sandpaper oak

pungent oak, scrub live oak, 

encino oak
- 87 -

presenting a rough texture above, 

dense pubescence mixed with stiff 

hairs beneath, sandpapery to the 

touch on both surfaces. ACORNS: 

annual; 1 - 2 sessile or short-stalked 

peduncle up to 1⁄8 inch (3 mm) long, 

chestnut-brown, top-shaped cup 

with gray pubescence, enclosing 

1⁄4 of the nut; light brown, ovoid 

nut, up to 1⁄2 inch (13 mm) long. 

HABITAT: mountains in the Lower 

Sonoran Life Zone associated with 

oak-juniper-pinyon dry woodlands. 

DISTRIBUTION: Arizona east 

to Texas, and in northern Mexico 

(Durango, Chihuahua, Coahuila, 

Nuevo Leon, Tamaulipas, and San Luis Potosi).

COMMENTARY: The rough surface of the leaves is reflected in 

the common name. Sandpaper oak acorns provide food for birds, 

javelinas, mule deer, bighorn sheep, and various small mammals.
- 88 - 

GROWTH FORM: medium to large 

tree that grows to 100 feet (30.5 m), 

rounded crown with large branches; 

fast growing tree that transplants easily, 

often forming pure stands. BARK: 

mature bark dark gray to black, shallow 

furrows separating wide scaly ridges, 

upper trunk has flat, shiny plate-like 

ridges, inner bark pink. TWIGS 

and BUDS: smooth, reddish-brown 

twigs; ovoid buds are pointed with pubescent chestnut-brown scales. 

LEAVES: smooth reddish petiole 1 - 2 inches (25 - 51 mm) long; 

elliptical leaves, 4 3⁄4 - 8 inches (121 - 203 mm) long, 2 3⁄8 - 4 3⁄4

inches (60 - 121 mm) wide, margin with 7 - 11 lobes, each with 1 - 3 

bristle-tipped teeth, sinuses are less than 1⁄2 distance to the midrib, base 

broadly cuneate, apex acute; dull to lustrous dark green above, gray 

to light yellowish-green below with 

short axillary tuffs of brown tomentum. 

Quercus rubra Linnaeus

Northern red oak

red oak, gray oak, eastern red oak, 

mountain red oak
- 89 -

ACORNS: biennial; 1 - 2 acorns are stalkless or on a very short 

peduncle, shallow or deep saucer shaped cup enclosing up to 1⁄2 of 

nut, reddish-brown pubescent scales with dark margins, inner surface 

with ring of pubescence around scar; oblong to nearly oval nut, 5⁄8 - 1 

1⁄4 inches (16 - 32 mm) long, brown with gray stripes. HABITAT: 

variety of moist soils with a loam texture. DISTRIBUTION: Quebec 

and Nova Scotia, south to South Carolina and Georgia, west to 

Oklahoma, and north to Ontario.

COMMENTARY: Northern red oak is the most valuable timber 

species in the red oak group. It has been used in construction, flooring, 

and furniture. The British Royal Navy once used it in shipbuilding. 

With some taxonomic treatments, populations of northern red oak that 

had leaves with red petioles and smaller acorns were given the varietal 

designation of Q. rubra var. borealis. A source of food for wildlife, it 

starts fruiting at age 25 and produces substantial crops after 50 years. 

Acorns germinate in the spring following seedfall. Native Americans 

utilized northern red oak as medicine for numerous ailments. The 

largest known specimen grows in Monroe County, New York.
- 90 - 

GROWTH FORM: one of 

the largest southern red oaks 

growing to 150 feet (45.7 m), 

large round open crown, usually 

has a clear bole with a buttressed 

base and shallow root system. 

BARK: dark gray mature bark, 

shallow furrows, scaly exposed ridges are lighter gray, inner bark 

pink. TWIGS and BUDS: smooth gray to light brown twigs; ovoid 

buds with smooth gray scales, 5-angled in cross section. LEAVES: 

petiole smooth, 

3⁄4 - 2 3⁄8 inches 

(19 - 60 mm); 

broadly elliptical 

leaves, 4 - 8 

Quercus shumardii Buckley

Shumard oak

spotted oak, swamp oak, 

Schneck oak, 

Schneck red oak, 

Shumard red oak, 

southern red oak, 

swamp red oak
- 91 -

inches (101 - 203 mm) long, 2 3⁄8 - 6 inches (60 - 152 mm) wide, 

margin with 5 - 9 lobes with 2 - 5 bristle-tipped teeth, deep sinuses 

more than half way to midvein, base truncate, apex acute; shiny dark 

green above, slight luster or dull green beneath with axillary tufts of 

tomentum, veins raised on both surfaces. ACORNS: biennial; 1 

- 2 acorns on a peduncle, thick saucer shaped cup with blunt scales, 

inner surface pubescent around scar, covering up to 1⁄3 of nut; ovoid 

to broadly oblong, brown mature nut, 1⁄2 - 1 1⁄4 inches (13 - 32 mm) 

long. HABITAT: well-drained soils along streams and rivers. 

DISTRIBUTION: Pennsylvania south to Florida, west to Texas, north 

to Nebraska, and northeast to Michigan and Ontario.

COMMENTARY: Named after Benjamin F. Shumard, state geologist 

of Texas in mid-1800s. Shumard oak produces good quality timber 

for construction, flooring and furniture, and is often considered 

more valuable than northern red oak. Moderately fast growing with 

a shallow root system. The largest known Shumard oak grows in 

Overton Park Forest, Tennessee. 
- 92 - 

GROWTH FORM: medium to large 

tree grows up to 100 feet (30.5 m). 

BARK: gray to brown, shallow furrows 

with narrow scaly ridges. TWIGS and 

BUDS: pubescent yellowish-gray twigs; 

round chestnut-brown buds with pubescent 

scales at the base, smooth scales at apex. 

LEAVES: short petiole of less than 3⁄8 

inch (10 mm); leaves obovate with 4 - 6 

lobes, usually 3 lobes above the middle, 

3 - 6 inches (75 - 152 mm) long, 2 - 2 1⁄2

inches (51 - 63 mm) wide, base rounded 

alternate, apex rounded; 

glossy dark green 

above, grayish-green 

beneath. ACORNS: 

annual; 1 - 3 acorns on 

a peduncle; cup is gray, 

rounded cup-shaped 

with pubescent scales, 

covers up to 1⁄2 of the 

nut; ovoid to barrelshaped nut, 5⁄8 - 3⁄4 inch 

(16 - 19 mm) long, light 

brown or chestnut in 

color. 

Quercus similis Ashe

Swamp post oak

delta post oak, bottomland post oak, 

Mississippi Valley oak, yellow oak
- 93 -

HABITAT: wet bottomlands; grows 

in association with Q. michauxii, Q. 

pagoda, Q. shumardii, ash, hickories, 

and blackgum. DISTRIBUTION: 

South Carolina west to Texas.

COMMENTARY: The largest known swamp post oak grows in 

Richland Parish, Louisiana.
- 94 - 

GROWTH FORM: var. breviloba 

varies from clonal shrub to small 

tree with occasional specimen that 

grows to 55 feet (16.8 m); var. 

sinuata small to large tree that 

grows to 95 feet (28.9 m), with 

solitary or multiple trunks. BARK: 

gray to light brown with shallow to 

deep furrows and scaly ridges; thin barked trees are susceptible to fire. 

TWIGS and BUDS: twigs vary from light gray to chestnut-brown, 

may have warty surface 

(var. breviloba); chestnutbrown, ovoid buds with 

ciliated margins. LEAVES: 

smooth short petiole up to 

1⁄4 inch (6 mm) long; thin 

oblong leaf, 1 1⁄4 - 4 3⁄4

Quercus sinuata Walter

Bastard oak

Durand oak, Bigelow oak, 

bastard white oak, bluff oak, 

Durand white oak, 

white shin oak, scrub oak, 

white oak

Q. sinuata var. breviloba

Q. sinuata var. sinuata

Q. sinuata var. sinuata

Q. sinuata var. breviloba
- 95 -

inches (32 - 121 mm) long, 1 - 2 3⁄8 inch (25 - 60 mm) wide, base acute 

to attenuate-rounded, margin entire or usually with 3 - 9 rounded lobes, 

apex rounded; dull to shiny dark green above, pubescent grayish-green 

beneath. ACORNS: annual; 1 - 2 acorns on a peduncle up to 1⁄4 inch 

(6 mm) in length, thin shallow saucer-shaped cup with gray scales, 

encloses 1⁄8 - 1⁄4 of nut; ovoid or oblong, light brown to chestnutbrown nut, 1⁄4 - 3⁄4 inch (6 - 19 mm) long. HABITAT: rich alluvial 

and limestone soils in woodlands and prairies. DISTRIBUTION: var. 

sinuata species from North Carolina and Florida, west to Oklahoma 

and Texas, south into Mexico; Quercus sinuata var. breviloba occurs 

on the Edwards Plateau of Texas southward into Mexico (along the 

eastern side of the Sierra Madre Oriental) in the states of Coahuila and 

Nuevo Leon.

COMMENTARY: The recorded distribution of Q. sinuata var. sinuata 

in North Carolina may be due to the misidentification of Q. austrina. 

The largest known specimen of Q. sinuata var. breviloba grows in 

Travis County, Texas, and the largest specimen of Q. sinuata var. 

sinuata is found in Stewart County, Georgia.
- 96 - 

GROWTH FORM: shrub 

to medium sized tree with 

a dense rounded crown, 

slow growing up to 85 

feet (25.9 m) under good 

environmental conditions. 

BARK: gray with shallow 

fissures and scaly ridges. 

TWIGS and BUDS: 

pubescent yellowish-gray 

twigs; chestnut-brown, ovoid buds with pubescent scales and a pointed 

apex. LEAVES: petiole 1⁄8 - 5⁄8 inch (3 - 16 mm) long; thick and 

leathery obovate leaf, 1 1⁄2 - 6 inches (38 - 152 mm) long, 3⁄4 - 4 inches 

(19 - 101 mm) wide, margins with 5 - 7 shallow to deep lobes, middle 

lobes are opposite and resemble a Maltese Cross, base attenuaterounded, apex rounded; dull or shiny dark green above with rough 

texture, pubescent yellowish to gray-green beneath, star-shaped hairs. 

ACORNS: annual; 

1 - 3 acorns on 

peduncle to 1⁄4 inch 

(6 mm), top-shaped 

or saucer-shaped 

thin cup with gray 

pubescent scales, 

Quercus stellata Wangenheim

Post oak

iron oak
- 97 -

enclosing 1⁄4 - 2⁄3 of the nut; rounded, light 

brown nut, may have dark brown faint strips, 

3⁄8 - 3⁄4 inch (10 - 19 mm) long. HABITAT: 

occurs on poor upland clay and sandy soils. 

DISTRIBUTION: Massachusetts south to 

Florida, west to Texas, north to Iowa, and 

east to Pennsylvania.

COMMENTARY: Post oak is a valuable timber species marketed 

as white oak. Post oak is drought resistant and can be used on drier 

sites in the landscape plantings. The extreme western populations in 

Oklahoma and Texas, existing in harsh conditions, are usually shrubs 

or small trees. The common name derives from its use as fence posts. 

Native Americans used post oak as medication. The largest known 

specimens are growing in Jackson County, Georgia and Surry County, 

Virginia.
- 98 - 

GROWTH FORM: medium 

to large tree, which grows 

to 115 feet (35 m), fast 

growing with an open crown. 

BARK: gray-brown to dark 

brown with shallow fissures 

and flat ridges. TWIGS 

and BUDS: smooth, gray 

to chestnut-brown twigs; 

grayish-brown, ovoid bud, 

often with ciliated scales at bud apex. LEAVES: smooth petiole from 

3⁄4 - 2 inches (19 - 51 mm) long; ovate to obovate leaf margins with 

5 - 11 lobes, each lobe with 1 - 3 bristle-tipped teeth; 3 - 8 inches 

(76 - 203 mm) long, 2 1⁄4 - 5 1⁄4 inches (57 - 133 mm) wide, base 

almost truncate, apex acute ending in a bristle, lobes separated by 

deep sinuses, lobes at midleaf are usually opposite; smooth dark 

green above, 

pale green 

below with 

axillary tufts 

of tomentum. 

ACORNS: 

biennial; 

solitary or 

clustered 

acorns on 

peduncle, 

goblet-shaped 

thin cup with 

pubescent 

Quercus texana Buckley

Texas red oak

Nuttall oak, red oak, 

Red River oak, pin oak, 

striped oak
- 99 -

inner and outer surface, covers 1⁄3 - 1⁄2 of the nut; chestnut-brown, 

egg-shaped nut with faint strips, 5⁄8 - 1 inch (16 - 25 mm) in length, 

may be pubescent. HABITAT: wet clay soils along streams. 

DISTRIBUTION: lower Mississippi Valley from Alabama west to 

Texas and Oklahoma, and northeast to Illinois and Kentucky.

COMMENTARY: Prior to 1927, there was confusion regarding the 

taxonomic status of Texas red oak. Quercus texana has been applied 

to Q. buckleyi and Q. gravesii, or considered to be Q. nuttallii, or 

varietal forms of Q. shumardii and Q. rubra. The largest known Texas 

red oak specimens are growing in Washington County, Mississippi and 

in Morehouse Parish, Louisiana.
- 100 - 

GROWTH FORM: shrub 

or small tree, which grows to 

50 feet (15.2 m), evergreen or 

subevergreen. BARK: dark 

brown, furrowed and shedding in 

long strips. TWIGS and BUDS: 

pubescent red to grayish-brown 

twigs; reddish-brown or gray, 

ovoid buds with obtuse apex, 

sparsely pubescent to smooth 

scales with ciliated margins. 

LEAVES: petiole up to 1⁄4 inch (6 mm) in length; oblong to narrowly 

lanceolate leaves, 3⁄4 - 2 1⁄2 inches (19 - 63 mm) long, 3⁄8 - 3⁄4 inch 

(10 - 19 mm) wide, margin is entire or mucronate-tipped 6 - 10 

shallow lobes, lobes acute to obtuse; base obtuse to rounded, apex 

acute or rounded; leaf blade leathery and may be slightly convex, 

shiny dark green above, pale densely pubescent beneath. ACORNS: 

annual; 1 - 2 acorns 

are sessile or on a 

short peduncle up 

to 1⁄8 inch (3 mm) 

long, reddish-brown 

cup, enclosing up 

to 1⁄4 of the nut; 

shiny light chestnutbrown, ellipsoidal 

or oblong nut, up 

to 3⁄4 inch (19 mm) 

long. 

Quercus vaseyana Buckley

Vasey oak

shin oak, scrub oak
- 101 -

HABITAT: limestone 

slopes and ridges 

in mesquite and 

juniper woodlands. 

DISTRIBUTION: 

the pinyon-juniper 

forests of western 

Texas and northern 

Mexico (Coahuila).

COMMENTARY: Vasey oak acorns are a food source for wildlife and 

the wood is used as fuel. The largest known specimens are growing 

in Big Bend National Park, Brewster County, Texas and in Val Verde 

County, Texas.
- 102 - 

GROWTH FORM: medium to large 

tree, 50 - 110 feet (15.2 - 33.5 m) 

in height, open and wide spreading 

crown. BARK: thick dark brown 

to black bark with deep furrows, 

rough ridges, yellow or orange inner 

bark. TWIGS and BUDS: smooth 

to pubescent chestnut-brown twigs, 

pith star-shaped; ovoid buds with 

tan pubescence, 5-angled in cross 

sections. LEAVES: petiole 1 - 2 3⁄4

inches (25 - 70 mm) long, may have sparse pubescence; obovate leaf 

outline, 4 - 11 3⁄4 inches (101 - 298 mm) long, 3 - 6 inches (75 - 153 

mm) wide, margin has 5 - 9 lobes ending in 1 - 4 bristle-tipped teeth, 

base obtuse to truncate, apex acute; glossy dark green to yellow green 

above, pale green with scurfy pubescence and axillary tomentum 

beneath, raised secondary veins on both surfaces. The pubescence 

is shed during 

late summer. 

ACORNS: 

biennial; 1 - 2 

short stalked 

acorns on short 

peduncle; 

reddish-brown 

pubescent cup, 

thick top-shaped 

with fringed 

edge, pubescent 

inner surface 

covers up to 

Quercus velutina Lamarck

Black oak

yellow oak, quercitron oak, 

yellow-bark oak, smooth-bark oak
- 103 -

1⁄2 of nut; ovoid to elliptical 

nut, up to 3⁄4 inch (19 

mm) long, light reddishbrown with faint stripes. 

Nut germination is in the 

spring following seedfall. 

HABITAT: dry uplands but 

grows best on lower slopes 

in rich well-drained soils. 

DISTRIBUTION: Maine west through Ontario to 

Minnesota, and south to Texas and Florida.

COMMENTARY: Black oak is a valuable timber species marketed 

as other red oaks. The bark was once used as a source for the yellow 

dye, quercitron, and for tannins to tan leather. Acorns are a food 

source for turkey, ruffed grouse, songbirds, deer, squirrels, and other 

small mammals. Black oaks begin to produce acorns at age 20, with 

optimum production at 40 - 75 years. The largest known specimen 

occurs in Westmoreland County, Virginia.
- 104 - 

GROWTH FORM: varies in form from a 

rhizomatous shrub to a large tree of 80 feet 

(24.4 m), trees having a dense spreading 

crown, trunk buttressed at the base, 

evergreen with leaves dropping after initial 

growth in the spring. BARK: dark brown 

to black, deep furrows with scaly ridges. 

TWIGS and BUDS: pubescent gray 

juvenile twigs, smooth older twigs; reddishbrown, ovate buds with gray scale margins 

may have pubescence. LEAVES: short 

petiole up to 3⁄8 inch (10 mm) in length; 

thick oblong leaf with a revolute margin, 1 3⁄8 - 4 inches (35 - 101 mm) 

long, 3⁄4 - 2 inches (19 - 51 mm) wide, margin entire, base cuneate 

to rounded, apex rounded and may have bristled tip; shiny light 

to dark green 

above, grayishgreen and densely 

pubescent beneath. 

ACORNS: annual; 1 - 3 acorns on 

Quercus virginiana Miller

Southern live oak

live oak, Virginia live oak, 

Spanish oak
- 105 -

peduncle 3⁄8 - 3⁄4

inch (10 - 19 mm) 

long; deep gobletshaped cup, scales 

are light gray with 

reddish tips and 

often pubescent, 

enclosing 1⁄4 - 1⁄2

of the nut; mature 

nut is dark brown to almost black narrowly oblong, 5⁄8 - 1 inch (16 - 25 

mm) in length. HABITAT: sandy soils in the lower Coastal Plain. 

DISTRIBUTION: Virginia, south to Florida, and west to Texas.

COMMENTARY: Southern live oak is a valuable timber species 

with tough dense wood, difficult to saw and dry, but suitable for 

construction, shipbuilding, and firewood. The first publicly owned 

forestland, at the end of the eighteenth century, was for the purpose of 

preserving the supply of southern live oak for the Navy’s shipbuilding 

needs. Many of these oaks have been designated as ‘Historic 

Trees’ throughout the South. The Houma tribe used this oak to cure 

dysentery. The largest known specimens are growing in Mandeville, 

St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana and in Ware County, Georgia. Each of 

these champion trees have canopies that cover approximately 1⁄3 acre.
- 106 - 

ECOSYSTEMS OF 

EASTERN NORTH AMERICA*

* Bailey, Robert G. 1998. Ecoregions map of North America: 

Explanatory note. Misc. Publ. 1548. Washington, DC: USDA 

Forest Service. 10 p.

www.fs.fed.us/institute/ecolink.html
- 107 -

Ecoregion Province Legend

132 Taiga (boreal forests)

211 Mixed deciduous-coniferous forests

M211b Mixed forest - coniferous forest - tundra, high

221a Broadleaved forests, oceanic

221b Broadleaved forests, continental

M221 Deciduous or mixed forest - coniferous forest - meadow

M222 Broadleaf forest - meadow

231 Broadleaved-coniferous evergreen forests

M231 Mixed forest - meadow

232 Coniferous-broadleaved semi-evergreen forests

251 Forest-steppes and prairies

252 Prairies and savannas

M311 Steppe or semidesert - mixed forest - alpine meadow or steppe

313 Steppes and shrubs

314 Shortgrass steppes

321 Semideserts

M321 Semidesert - shrub - open woodland - steppe or alpine meadow*

323 Deserts on sand

331 Steppes

332 Dry steppes

M333 Steppe - coniferous forest

411 Open woodlands, shrubs, and savannas

M411 Open woodland - deciduous forest - coniferous forest - steppe

 or meadow*

R Riverine or floodplain forest along the banks of a river

* Not shown on map
- 108 - 

SPECIES SUMMARY

This “Treaty Oak” is a southern live oak (Q. virginiana) located at Jessie 

Ball duPont Park, Jacksonville, Florida. Folklore attributes this oak as a 

treaty site for Native Americans in northeastern Florida. This tree has a 

crown that covers approximately 1/4 acre. (Photo, J. Stein)
- 109 -

acerifolia 

Maple-leaf oak

Very limited area in state of AR on mountain 

slopes and ridge tops. Listed as ‘endangered’ 

by IUCN*. Synonymy: Q. shumardii in part.

arkansana 

Arkansas oak, 

Arkansas water oak, 

water oak

Rare. Localized on well-drained sandy soils 

in the states of AR, LA, AL, GA, FL, and TX. 

Listed as ‘endangered’ in FL; ‘rare’ in AR; and 

‘vulnerable’ in AL, GA, and LA by IUCN*. 

Synonymy: Q. caput-rivuli.

buckleyi 

Buckley oak, Texas 

red oak, Spanish oak, 

spotted oak

Found on limestone ridges, slopes, and creek 

bottoms in the states of OK and TX. Synonymy: 

Q texana, Q. rubra in part, Q. shumardii in part.

coccinea

Scarlet oak, black 

oak, red oak, Spanish 

oak

Found on poor soils in the eastern United 

States. Used as a landscape tree.

ellipsoidalis

Northern pin oak, 

jack oak, Hill’s oak, 

black oak

Northcentral North America on sandy sites.

Table 1. Native Red Oaks

* (IUCN) International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources

M231

252 313 314

231 232 R

211 221a 221b 231 232

R

M211b M221

211 221b 251

Quercus Species Comments
- 110 - 

Table 1. Native Red Oaks (cont.)

211 M211b 221a M221

252 314

221a 221b M221 M222 231 M231 232

R

232

231 232 R

221a 221b M221 M222 231

251 R

M231 232

231 M231 232 252 R

Quercus Species Comments

falcata

Southern red oak, 

Spanish oak, swamp 

red oak, water oak, 

turkey-foot oak

In dry upland conditions on sandy or clay loam 

soils in the southern half of the eastern United 

States. Synonymy: Q. digitata.

georgiana

Georgia oak

Small trees on granitic outcrops in the states 

of GA, AL, and SC. 

hemisphaerica

Laurel oak, Darlington oak

On sandy soils in the southern United States.

ilicifolia

Bear oak, scrub oak

Small trees/shrubs on disturbed sandy or 

rocky sites in the northeastern United States. 

Synonymy: Q. nana.

imbricaria

Shingle oak, laurel 

oak

Dry to mesic sites in the mid-eastern and 

central United States.

incana

Bluejack oak, sandjack oak, upland willow oak, cinnamon 

oak, shin oak, turkey 

oak

Small trees on dry sandy soils in the 

southeastern United States. Synonymy: 

Q. cinerea.
- 111 -

Table 1. Native Red Oaks (cont.)

231 411

231

231 232 411

221b 231 232 252 314 411 R

221a 221b M221 M222 231 232

251 252 313 314 331

M231

Quercus Species Comments

inopina

Florida oak

Deep sandy ridges and terraces in central FL.

laevis

Turkey oak, Catesby 

oak, Coastal Plain 

scrub oak, scrub oak, 

turkey-foot oak

Dry sandy soils in the southeastern United 

States. Synonymy: Q. catesbaei.

laurifolia

Swamp laurel oak, 

laurel oak, Darlington oak, diamondleaf oak, laurel-leaf 

oak, water oak, 

obtuse oak

Southeastern United States. Synonymy: 

Q. obtusa, Q. rhombica.

marilandica

Blackjack oak, barren oak, black oak, 

jack oak

Deep sands and shallow soils in southcentral 

and eastern North America.

myrtifolia

Myrtle oak, scrub 

oak

Small trees/shrubs on sandy areas in the states 

of AL, FL, GA, MS, and SC.
- 112 - 

Table 1. Native Red Oaks (cont.)

R

221a 221b M221 M222 231 M231 232

252 411

221a 221b 231 232 R

211 M211b 221a 221b M221 M222 231

232 251 R

221a 221b M221 M222 231 M231 232

252 R

231 232 411

Quercus Species Comments

nigra

Water oak, possum 

oak, spotted oak, pin 

oak, red oak

On moist or wet soils from the southeastern 

United States to the state of TX. Synonymy: 

Q. nana, Q. uliginosa.

pagoda

Cherrybark oak, 

bottomland red oak, 

red oak, swamp red 

oak, swamp Spanish oak, Elliott oak, 

scalybark oak

On well-drained lowland soil in the 

southeastern United States. Synonymy: 

Q. falcata in part, Q. leucophylla, 

Q. pagodifolia.

palustris

Pin oak, swamp oak, 

Spanish oak, swamp 

Spanish oak, water 

oak

Poorly drained, clay soils in mid-central and 

eastern United States and Canada.

phellos

Willow oak, pin oak, 

peach oak, swamp 

willow oak, black 

oak

On flood plains and moist soils of the central 

and southern United States. Popular shade tree 

in the southeastern United States.

pumila

Runner oak, running 

oak

Shrubs on dry sandy soils in the southeastern 

United States.
- 113 -

Table 1. Native Red Oaks (cont.)

M211b 221a 221b M221 M222

231 M231 232 251 252

211

R

132

221a 221b M221 M222 231 M231

232 251 252 313 R

211

221b M222 231 M231 232 252 R

211 M211b 221a 221b M221 M222 231

M231 232 251 252 313 R

Quercus Species Comments

rubra

Northern red oak, 

red oak, gray oak, 

eastern red oak, 

mountain red oak

On moist soils in eastern North America. 

Synonymy: Q. borealis, Q. maxima.

shumardii

Shumard oak, 

spotted oak, swamp 

oak, Schneck oak, 

Schneck red oak, 

Shumard red oak, 

southern red oak, 

swamp red oak

On well-drained soils in the southern half of 

central and eastern North America. Synonymy: 

Q. schneckii.

texana

Texas red oak, Nuttall oak, red oak, Red 

River oak, pin oak, 

striped oak

Distribution on wet clay soils in the southern 

United States. Synonymy: Q. buckleyi, 

Q. gravesii, Q. nuttallii, Q. rubra in part, 

Q. shumardii in part.

velutina

Black oak, yellow 

oak, quercitron oak, 

yellow-bark oak, 

smooth-bark oak

Found from dry uplands to rich soils on lower 

slopes in central and eastern North America. 

Synonymy: Q. tinctoria.
- 114 - 

Table 2. Native White Oaks

* (IUCN) International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources

231 411

231 232 R

232

R

211 M211b 221a 221b M221 M222 231

M231 232 251

221a

R

211 M211b 221b M221 232

251

231

Quercus Species Comments

alba

White oak, eastern 

white oak, stave oak, 

forked-leaf white oak

On deep, well-drained soils in central and 

eastern North America.

austrina 

Bastard white oak, 

bluff oak

Well-drained lowland areas and hardwood 

hummocks in the states of AL, FL, GA, MS, 

NC, and SC. Synonymy: Q. durandii in part.

bicolor

Swamp white oak, 

white oak

Moist soils in northcentral and northeastern 

forests. Synonymy: Q. platanoides.

boyntonii

Boynton oak

Rare; associated with sandstone outcrops in the 

states of AL and TX. Listed as ‘endangered’ by 

IUCN*. Synonymy: Q. stellata in part.

chapmanii

Chapman oak, 

Chapman white oak, 

scrub oak

Xerophytic conditions on sand near coastal FL, 

GA, and SC.
- 115 -

Table 2. Native White Oaks (cont.)

M311 314 321 323

313 314 321 323 331

231 411

252 M311 313 314 321 323

221b M222 231 232 251 252

R

221a

Quercus Species Comments

fusiformis

Texas live oak, scrub 

live oak, live oak

On loam or sandy gravel in the states of TX and 

OK, and in Mexico (Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, 

Tamaulipas). Synonymy: Q. virginiana in part.

geminata

Sand live oak

Small trees/shrubs on deep sandy soils in 

the southern United States. Synonymy: 

Q. virginiana in part.

havardii

Havard oak, shin 

oak, shinnery

Low shrubs on deep sand dunes in the states of 

NM, OK, and TX.

laceyi

Lacey oak, canyon 

oak, smoky oak, rock 

oak

On limestone hills, woodlands, and riparian 

forests in the state of TX and in Mexico 

(Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, Tamaulipas). 

Synonymy: Q. breviloba, Q. glaucoides.

lyrata

Overcup oak, 

swamp post oak, water white oak, swamp 

white oak

Wet lowlands in the southern United States. 

Synonymy: Q. bicolor in part.
- 116 - 

Table 2. Native White Oaks (cont.)

231 411 R

313 314 321 323 332

221b 231 M231 232 252 313 314

R

221a 221b 231 M231 232 252 314

R

132 211 M211b 221a 221b M221 M222

232 251 252 313 314 331 332

M333 R

Quercus Species Comments

macrocarpa

Bur oak, mossy-cup 

oak, blue oak, prairie 

oak, mossy-overcup 

oak

On limestone or calcareous clay soils in central 

North America. Synonymy: Q. mandanensis.

margaretta

Sand post oak, 

dwarf post oak, runner oak, scrubby oak, 

post oak

Small trees/shrubs on deep sand or gravel in 

the southeastern United States. Synonymy: 

Q. minor in part, Q. stellata in part.

michauxii

Swamp chestnut 

oak, basket oak, cow 

oak

On moist alluvial soils from the state of VA to 

TX. Synonymy: Q. brayi, Q. houstoniana, 

Q. prinus in part.

minima

Dwarf live oak, 

minimal oak

Found on deep sandy soils in the southeastern 

United States. Synonymy: Q. virens in part, 

Q. virginiana in part.

mohriana

Mohr oak, shin oak, 

scrub oak

Found on limestone hills in the states of NM, 

OK, and TX, and in Mexico (Coahuila).
- 117 -

Table 2. Native White Oaks (cont.)

232

Quercus Species Comments

211 M211b 221a 221b M221 232 R

211

R

314

321 331

M211b 221a 221b M221 231

232 251 252 313

323

M222

M231 M311

252 313 331 R

M211b 221a 221b M221 M222 231

M231 232 251

211

montana

Chestnut oak, rock 

chestnut oak, mountain chestnut oak, 

rock oak, tanbark oak

Shallow upland soils in eastern North America. 

Synonymy: Q. prinus.

muehlenbergii

Chinkapin oak, 

chestnut oak, yellow 

chestnut oak, yellow 

oak, rock chestnut 

oak, rock oak

Limestone soils in central and eastern North 

America, and in Mexico (Chihuahua, Coahuila, 

Nuevo Leon, Tamaulipas). Synonymy: 

Q. acuminata.

oglethorpensis

Oglethorpe oak

Local distribution on rich soils in the states of 

SC, LA, MS, and GA. Listed as ‘vulnerable’ 

by the IUCN*.

prinoides

Dwarf chinkapin 

oak, scrub chestnut 

oak

Small trees/shrubs on dry rocky soils from the 

mid-central United States to the northeastern 

United States and Canada.
- 118 - 

Table 2. Native White Oaks (cont.)

252 M311 314 321

231 232 252 R

231 232 252 R

252 331

221a 221b M221 M222 231 M231 232

251 313 314 332 R

M311 314 321 M321 323 M411

Quercus Species Comments

pungens

Sandpaper oak,

pungent oak, scrub 

live oak, encino oak

Trees/shrubs on dry limestone or igneous 

slopes in the states of AZ, NM, and TX, and in 

Mexico (Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, 

Tamaulipas). Synonymy: Q. undulata in part.

similis

Swamp post oak, 

delta post oak, bottomland post oak, 

Mississippi Valley 

oak, yellow oak

Found on wet soils in the southeastern United 

States. Synonymy: Q. ashei, Q. stellata in part.

sinuata

var. breviloba

var. sinuata

Bastard oak, Durand 

oak, Bigelow oak, 

bastard white oak, 

bluff oak, Durand 

white oak, white shin 

oak, scrub oak, white 

oak

var. breviloba: Limestone hills and prairies 

in TX and Mexico (Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, 

Tamaulipas). 

var. sinuata: Wet and riparian areas in the 

southeastern United States. Synonymy: 

Q. annulata, Q. breviloba, Q. durandii in part, 

Q. obtusifolia in part, Q. san-sabeana.

stellata

Post oak, iron oak

Poor upland sites in the southern United States. 

Synonymy: Q. minor, Q. obtusiloba.
- 119 -

Table 2. Native White Oaks (cont.)

231 232 252 314 411 R

Quercus Species Comments

231 314 321

vaseyana

Vasey oak, shin oak, 

scrub oak

Small trees/shrubs on dry limestone slopes 

in the state of TX, and in northern Mexico 

(Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon). 

Synonymy: Q. pungens in part, Q. undulata in 

part.

virginiana

Southern live oak, 

live oak, Virginia live 

oak, Spanish oak

On loam and clay soils in the southern United 

States, along the Coastal Plain from TX to VA.
- 120 - 

KEY TO LEAVES OF 

EASTERN NATIVE OAKS

The “Old Senator,” a southern live oak (Q. virginiana) located at St. 

Augustine, Florida, is reputed to be a witness to the landing of Juan 

Ponce de Leon in 1513. When Juan stepped ashore to search for the 

Fountain of Youth, he was credited with the discovery of Florida and 

the beginning of the European colonization of the North American 

continent. (Photo, J. Stein)
- 121 -

Illustrated examples of typical leaf characters used for field 

identification of oak species. Scanned image of southern red 

oak (Quercus falcata).

Lobe

Margin

Petiole

Sinus

Leaf Characteristics

Decurrent Leaf Base

Midrib 

(underside) Bristle Tips

Axillary Hairs

(underside)
- 122 - 

Leaf blade entire, or lobed with shallow or deep sinuses; lobes and 

apex armed with bristled tip

 Red Oak Group ........................................................... 123

Leaf blade entire, dentate, sinuate, or lobed with shallow or deep 

sinuses; lobes and apex without bristled tips, leaves without lobes

lack bristle at apex but may have mucronate tip

 White Oak Group...........................................................136

*

 Characteristics in this key are based upon mature leaves exposed to full sunlight. 

Oaks normally associated with southwestern species are included in this key if their 

distributions extended east of the 100th meridian.

Oak Groups*
- 123 -

 

Red Oaks

1 Leaf petiole less than 3⁄8 inch long.................2

 

 Leaf petiole greater than 3⁄8 inch long..........17

2(1) Leaf blade more than 4 times longer 

than wide (shape lanceolate or 

narrowly elliptical)........................................3 

 Leaf blade less than 4 times longer than 

 wide (shape ovate, obovate, spatulate, 

 broadly elliptical) ..........................................5 

3(2) Petiole sparse to densely pubescent ..............4

 Petiole lacks pubescence; leaf margin 

 entire; shiny light green above; pale 

 green and may have grayish 

 pubescence beneath........................Q. phellos 

4(3) Leaf lustrous blue-green with raised 

 veins above; dense woolly pubescence 

 with reddish axillary tufts of hair 

 beneath ........................................... Q. incana 

 Leaf dark green with impressed veins 

above; uniform woolly pubescence, 

lacks axillary tufts of hair beneath; 

leaf blade slightly convex and 

usually revolute ..............................Q. pumila
- 124 - 

Red Oaks

5(2) Leaf blade widest beyond midleaf ................6 

 Leaf blade widest at or below midleaf ........13 

6(5) Leaf petiole lacks pubescences .....................7

 Leaf petiole pubescent.................................10

7(6) Leaf margin entire and may curl under, 

 lacks prominent lobes....................................8

 Leaf margin flat with 2-5 prominent 

 lobes; sinuses extending one-third or 

 more to midvein; smooth leaf surface 

 except for axillary tufts of 

 hair beneath ...............................Q. georgiana

8(7) Leaf shape obovate........................................9

 Leaf shape spatulate, base cuneate; may 

 have 2-3 shallow lobes beyond midleaf; 

 smooth leaf blade with axillary tufts of 

 hair beneath .......................................Q. nigra
- 125 -

Red Oaks

9(8) Leaf blade smooth, convex, somewhat 

revolute; dark green above; light 

green, smooth, axillary tufts of hair 

beneath; some leaves have scruffy 

yellow bloom beneath ............... Q. myrtifolia

 Leaf blade rugose to smooth, convex, 

strongly revolute; scattered hairs along 

the midrib above; yellow scruffy 

pubescence, lacks axillary tufts 

of hair beneath...............................Q. inopina

10(6) Leaf blade convex above, margin entire 

 and curled under; no apparent lobes...........11

 Leaf blade flat and broadly triangular; 2-5 

 lobes with shallow sinuses..........................12

11(10) Leaf blade may have yellow scruffy 

 pubescence, axillary tufts of hair beneath; 

 margin somewhat revolute ........ Q. myrtifolia

Leaf blade with yellow scruffy pubescence 

beneath, lacks axillary tufts of hair; 

margin strongly revolute ............... Q. inopina
- 126 - 

Red Oaks

12(10) Leaf blade longer than wide; 

 pubescent with axillary tufts 

 of hair beneath..........................Q. arkansana

 Leaf blade wider than long; scruffy 

 or sparse pubescence beneath, lacks 

 axillary tufts of hair................Q. marilandica

13(5) Leaf blade without lobes; usually 

 3 times longer than wide .............................14

 Leaf blade with lobes; less than 

 2 times longer than wide .............................16

14(13) Leaf petiole lacks pubescence (smooth)......15

 Leaf petiole pubescent; leaf blade 

 densely pubescent with axillary 

 tufts of hair beneath........................ Q. incana

15(14) Leaf blade thin, apex obtuse or rounded;

 found on moist soil.....................Q. laurifolia

Leaf blade thick and leathery, 

apex acute or acuminate; 

found on dry soil ............... Q. hemisphaerica
- 127 -

Red Oaks

16(13) Leaf blade ovate or broadly elliptical 

 and almost as wide as long; 3-7 lobes 

 with deep sinuses; apical lobe 

 elongated, one-third to one-half 

 length of the leaf with 1-3 acute 

 teeth; leaf often looks like a 

 turkey’s foot...................................... Q. laevis

 Leaf blade broadly elliptical and longer 

 than wide; 3-5 lobes with deep sinuses; 

 apical lobe less than one-fourth 

 length of leaf..............................Q. georgiana

17(1) Leaf blade entire or lobed with sinuses 

 less than one-third distance to 

 the midrib ....................................................18

 Leaf blade lobed with sinuses greater 

 than one-third distance to the midrib...........25

18(17) Leaf longer than wide..................................19

Leaf usually as wide as long, circular 

in outline; resembles a 

maple leaf...................................Q. acerifolia
- 128 - 

Red Oaks

19(18) Leaf blade 1-2 times longer than wide; 

 shallow or prominent sinuses present..........20

 Leaf blade 3 times longer than wide; 

 margin entire without lobes and slightly 

 wavy; apex acute or obtuse and ending 

 in a bristled tip; uniformly pubescent 

 beneath ..................................... Q. imbricaria

20(19) Leaf base acute to truncate ..........................21

 Leaf base rounded .......................................23

21(20) Leaf apex acute............................................22

 Leaf apex obtuse tapering to a blunt 

 or rounded point; leaf blade shiny 

 green above; pale green with 

 axillary tufts of hair beneath......Q. georgiana
- 129 -

Red Oaks

22(21) Leaf petiole smooth with reddish 

 coloration; leaf blade dull green 

 above; smooth with minute axillary 

 tufts of hair beneath.......................... Q. rubra

 Leaf petiole pubescent; leaf blade 

 shiny dark green above; pale green 

 and smooth beneath......................Q. ilicifolia

23(20) Leaf apex obtuse to rounded; widest 

 part of leaf blade near apex gives leaf a 

 somewhat triangular outline ........................24

 Leaf apex acute; widest part of 

 leaf near midleaf............................. Q. falcata

24(23) Leaf blade longer than wide; yellow-

 green above; pubescent with axillary 

 tufts of hair beneath..................Q. arkansana

Leaf blade generally as wide as long; 

yellow-green above; dense reddishbrown scruffy pubescence, lacking 

axillary hairs beneath .............Q. marilandica
- 130 - 

Red Oaks

25(17) Leaf base acute or rounded (U-shaped).......26 

 Leaf base obtuse or truncate........................30 

26(25) Leaf apex blunt, rounded, or obtuse............27

 Leaf apex acute............................................28

27(26) Leaf petiole lacks pubescence 

 (smooth) ....................................Q. georgiana 

 Leaf petiole pubescent..............Q. arkansana

28(26) Leaf blade dark green above; lacks 

 axillary tufts of hair beneath........................29

 Leaf blade is a light green above; 

 pale green with axillary tufts of 

 hair beneath ...................................... Q. laevis
- 131 -

Red Oaks

29(28) Leaf blade shiny dark green above; 

 pale rusty pubescence beneath; 3-5 

 lobes with the terminal lobe longer 

 than lateral lobes............................. Q. falcata 

 Leaf blade shiny dark green above; 

pale gray pubescence beneath; 5-11 

lobes with terminal lobe shorter 

than lateral lobes.............................Q. pagoda 

30(25) Leaf blade uniformly pubescent 

 beneath ........................................................31

Leaf blade usually smooth without 

uniform pubescence beneath, may 

have scattered hairs especially 

along the midvein........................................33

31(30) Leaf base cuneate to truncate ......................32

 Leaf base rounded; terminal lobe 

 one-third to one-half length of leaf; 

 lobes near base are usually opposite 

 and gives the appearance of 

 a turkey’s foot................................. Q. falcata
- 132 - 

Red Oaks

32(31) Terminal lobe longer than basal lobe; 

 leaf margin has 3-5 lobes with 5-14 

 bristled tips; angle of sinuses between 

 terminal and lateral lobes approximates 

 90o; leaf petiole pubescent, 

 3⁄8 - 1 inch long..............................Q. ilicifolia 

 Terminal lobe is equal to or less than 

 basal lobe; leaf margin has 5-11 lobes 

with 10-25 bristled tips; angle of 

sinuses between all major lobes is 

less than 90o; leaf petiole smooth or 

occasionally may be pubescent, 

3⁄4 - 2 inches long ............................Q. pagoda 

33(30) Leaf blade longer than wide ........................34

 Leaf blade wider than long; resembles 

 maple leaf...................................Q. acerifolia 

34(33) Leaf blade with sinuses extending more 

 than half the distance to midrib...................35

 Leaf blade with sinuses extending less 

 than half the distance to midrib........ Q. rubra 
- 133 -

Red Oaks

35(34) Leaf blade with minute axillary tufts 

 of hair (visible with magnification).............36

 Leaf blade with conspicuous axillary hair 

 tufts (visible without magnification) ...........37

 

36(35) Mature leaf less than 4 inches in 

 length; distally expanded lobes, 

 sinuses C-shaped between major 

 lobes; petiole yellow in color .......Q. buckleyi 

 Mature leaf 4 3⁄4 - 8 inches in length; 

 sinuses U-shaped between major 

 lobes; petiole usually reddish 

 in color.............................................. Q. rubra 

37(35) Leaf base acute to obtuse ............................38 

 Leaf base obtuse to truncate ........................39
- 134 - 

Red Oaks

38(37) Leaf apex acute; falcate terminal lobe 

 longer than lateral lobes and one-half 

 length of leaf blade; often looks like 

 a turkey’s foot................................... Q. laevis 

 Leaf apex obtuse to rounded; terminal 

 lobe less than one-third length of 

 leaf blade ...................................Q. georgiana 

39(37) Leaf blade with margin of basal lobes 

 somewhat recurved; middle lobes 

 have a tendency to be at right angle 

 to midrib ......................................................40 

 Leaf blade with margin of basal lobes 

 straight (not recurved); middle lobes 

slightly angled toward apex, lobes 

usually expanded distally ............................42 

40(39) Leaf with terminal lobe less than length 

 of middle lobes; sinuses U-shaped

 below midleaf..............................................41

 Leaf with terminal lobe equal to or longer 

 than middle lobes; sinuses C-shaped 

 below midleaf, lobes distally expanded 

 with multiple bristled tips; shiny green 

 above; pale with tufts of hair along 

 midvein beneath .....................Q. ellipsoidalis
- 135 -

Red Oaks

41(40) Leaf with terminal lobe approximately 

 one-third length of middle lobes; deep 

 sinuses with lobes nearly at right angles 

 to midrib; shiny bright green above; 

 pale beneath................................. Q. palustris 

 Leaf with terminal lobe one-half to 

 two-thirds length of middle lobes; deep 

 sinuses with lobes slightly angled 

 toward apex; dark green above; 

 pale beneath.....................................Q. texana 

42(39) Leaf petiole one-third to one-half length 

 of leaf blade.................................................43

 Leaf petiole less than one-third length 

 of leaf blade; shiny dark green above, 

 pale beneath; secondary veins raised 

 on both surfaces.........................Q. shumardii 

43(42) Leaf shiny light green above; smooth 

 with axillary tufts of hair beneath; 

 lobes distally expanded ............... Q. coccinea 

 Leaf shiny dark green above; scruffy 

 pubescence with axillary tufts of hair 

 beneath, pubescence shed in late summer; 

 lobes without distal expansion; stout 

petiole twisted to allow leaf to hang 

perpendicular to the ground.......... Q. velutina
- 136 - 

White Oaks

1 Leaf margin entire, sinuate, or 

 with wide-angled teeth pointed 

 outward from edge of the leaf 

 (dentate); sinuses less than one-

 third distance to midrib .................................2 

Leaf margin with well-defined lobes; 

one or more sinuses extending more 

than one-third distance to midrib ................23 

2(1) Leaf blade with regular or irregular 

 dentate margin; a tooth for each parallel 

 secondary vein reaching the leaf edge...........3 

Leaf blade with margin entire; irregularly 

toothed (1-5 on each side), scalloped, 

or 3-lobed on distal half of leaf...................14 

3(2) Leaf base cuneate to acute.............................4 

 Leaf base truncate or obtuse to rounded........9 
- 137 -

White Oaks

4(3) Leaf margin with more than 6 

 dentate (teeth) on each side ...........................5

Leaf margin with 5 or less dentate 

(teeth) on each side........................................6

5(4) Width of leaf blade less than 

 half its length, base cuneate; leaf 

 leathery, shiny dark green above; 

 glaucous pubescence (rubs off) 

 beneath ....................................... Q. prinoides 

Width of leaf blade greater than 

half its length, base cuneate to 

acute; shiny dark green above; 

white velvety pubescence 

beneath ...........................................Q. bicolor 

6(4) Petiole less than 1⁄4 inch long.........................7

Petiole more than 1⁄4 inch long; 

leaf margin minutely revolute, 

usually 3-5 irregular or shallow lobes 

beyond midleaf (often 3-lobed); shiny 

dark green with few hairs above; 

grayish pubescence with minute 

stellate hairs beneath ..................Q. boyntonii 
- 138 - 

White Oaks

7(6) Leaf apex acute to obtuse ..............................8

Leaf apex rounded; mature leaves 

smooth beneath with some hair 

retained along the midvein; 

juvenile leaves may be uniformly 

covered with stellate hairs 

beneath .........................................Q. austrina 

8(7) Leaf blade narrowly lanceolate to 

 oblong, may be slightly convex, 3⁄4 - 2 3⁄8 

 inches long; leaves may be dimorphic; 

 mature sun-leaves shiny, dark bluish-

 green above, dense stellate hairs 

 mixed with minute appressed hairs 

 beneath; shady-leaf margins coarsely 

 toothed with shallow sinuses, 

 mucronate-tipped teeth................Q. vaseyana 

Leaf blade obovate to oblanceolate, 

3⁄4 - 4 3⁄4 inches long; leaves may be 

dimorphic with sunny exposure 

producing an entire margin, mature 

leaves shiny, light to dark green above, 

with whitish bloom of densely stellate 

with minute appressed hairs beneath; 

shady-leaf margins coarsely toothed 

with shallow sinuses, mucronate-tipped 

teeth, and flat, wavy, or minutely 

revolute..........................................Q. minima 
- 139 -

White Oaks

9(3) Mature leaf blade less than 

 4 inches long................................................10

 Mature leaf blade more than 

 4 inches long................................................12

10(9) Upper leaf surface feels smooth 

 to the touch..................................................11

Upper leaf surface feels rough 

(sandpapery) to the touch .............Q. pungens

11(10) Leaf blade shiny, light green above; 

 dense gray to yellowish-brown 

 tomentulose or stellate pubescent 

 hairs beneath; leaf thick and 

 leathery.........................................Q. havardii 

Leaf blade shiny, dark bluish-green 

above, densely stellate with minute 

appressed hairs beneath...............Q. vaseyana
- 140 - 

White Oaks

12(9) Leaf blade with rounded base......................13

Leaf blade with obtuse to truncate 

base, dentate with sharp teeth; shiny 

yellowish-green to dark green above; 

silvery-white glaucous pubescence 

(rubs off) or light green with 

minute hairs beneath...........Q. muehlenbergii 

13(12) Leaf blade with minute sparse hairs 

 beneath except for tufts of hair along 

 midvein; margin dentate with 

 rounded teeth...............................Q. montana 

Leaf blade with light green or yellowish 

velvety pubescence beneath; margin 

dentate with sharp teeth.............Q. michauxii 

14(2) Leaf blade with rounded base......................15

 Leaf blade with cuneate to acute base.........17

 
- 141 -

White Oaks

15(14) Leaf blade bluish-green; margin entire 

 or with irregular shallow lobes....................16

Leaf blade yellowish-green; margin 

minutely revolute, 1-5 rounded irregular 

lobes beyond midleaf; glossy above, 

matted glandular and waxy hair 

beneath .....................................Q. chapmanii 

16(15) Leaf petiole 1⁄8 - 1⁄4 inch long; leaf 

 blade thin and obovate or elliptic, 1 1⁄2 - 

 3 1⁄2 inches long, apex broadly rounded; 

 juvenile leaves glaucous with whitish 

 stellate hair beneath; mature leaves 

 become smooth.................................Q. laceyi 

Leaf petiole 1⁄4 - 3⁄8 inch long; leaf 

blade thick and leathery, oblong or 

elliptic, 1 1⁄4 - 2 inches long, apex 

acute or rounded; shiny or dull 

bluish-green above; gray or white 

pubescence with raised secondary 

veins beneath............................. Q. mohriana

17(14) Leaf blade convex above.............................18

 Leaf blade flat..............................................19

 
- 142 - 

White Oaks

18(17) Leaf margin strongly revolute; 

 dull or shiny dark green above, 

 pale pubescence beneath ............ Q. geminata 

Leaf margin slightly revolute; dull 

or shiny dark green above, yellowishgreen velvety pubescence 

beneath ...............................Q. oglethorpensis 

19(17) Leaf apex rounded and broadly 

 triangular .....................................................20

 Leaf apex acute or obtuse-rounded .............21

20(19) Leaf blade 1 3⁄8 - 2 3⁄8 inches 

 long with sinuate parallel

 sides; associated with limestone

 outcrops.................. Q. sinuata var. breviloba

Leaf blade 2 - 4 3⁄4 inches long with 

entire to sinuate margin; usually

found in moist riparian 

habitats ...................... Q. sinuata var. sinuata
- 143 -

White Oaks

21(19) Leaf blade obovate to oblanceolate.............22

Leaf blade lanceolate, 1 3⁄8 - 3 1⁄2 

inches long, margin minutely 

revolute or flat; shiny light to dark 

green above; pale pubescent 

bloom (rubs off) beneath ...........Q. fusiformis 

22(21) Leaf blade 1 3⁄8 - 3 1⁄2 inches long, 

 margin entire (juvenile leaves 

 coarsely toothed with shallow 

 sinuses); mature tree grows to 

 49 feet....................................... Q. virginiana 

Leaf blade 3⁄4 - 4 3⁄4 inches long, 

margin entire or toothed; mature 

shrub less than 5 feet tall...............Q. minima 

23(1) Leaf bluish-green above ..............................24

Leaf green, yellowish-green, or 

grayish-green above ....................................25
- 144 - 

White Oaks

24(23) Leaf apex acute (rarely obtuse); 

 leaf narrowly lanceolate to 

 oblong, margin coarsely toothed 

 with mucronate tips; may be 

 slightly convex above; 

 pubescent beneath .......................Q. vaseyana 

Leaf apex broadly rounded; leaf 

obovate, margin entire with 

rounded lobes; mature leaf smooth 

beneath (expanding leaves glaucous 

on both surfaces; this bloom 

sheds with age).................................Q. laceyi 

25(23) Mature leaves smooth beneath ....................26

 Mature leaves conspicuously 

 hairy beneath ...............................................28

26(25) Leaf petiole more than 1⁄4 inch long.............27

 Leaf petiole less than 1⁄4 inch 

 long...............................................Q. austrina 
- 145 -

White Oaks

27(26) Leaf blade with narrow sinuses, 

 mouth of sinus less than half its 

 length, lobes with rounded tips; 

 apex rounded .......................................Q. alba 

Leaf blade with wide sinuses, mouth 

of sinus more than half its length, 

lobes appear angular or spatulate 

with acute to obtuse tips; apex 

obtuse to rounded .............................Q. lyrata 

28(25) Leaf petiole less than 1⁄2 inch long...............29

Leaf petiole more than 1⁄2 inch 

long; dark green to dull 

gray-green above ................... Q. macrocarpa 

29(28) Leaf margin flat, edge not revolute .............30

Leaf margin minutely revolute; 

3-5 irregular lobes beyond midleaf; 

base cuneate to acute ..................Q. boyntonii 
- 146 - 

White Oaks

30(29) Leaf with upper surface rough 

 (sandpapery) to the touch ............................31

 Leaf with upper surface smooth 

 to the touch..................................................32

31(30) Leaf apex acute or obtuse with 

 spine; coarsely toothed with 

 some sinuses extending 

 one-third to midrib .......................Q. pungens 

Leaf apex broadly rounded; lobes 

rounded or spatulate, lobes at midleaf 

usually form right angles to midrib in 

cross-shaped pattern, blade thick 

and stiff...........................................Q. stellata 

32(30) Leaf blade width equal to or greater 

 than half its length.......................................33

Leaf blade width equal to or less 

than one-third its length; shiny light 

green above, dense gray to tawny 

tomentulose or stellate hairs 

beneath .........................................Q. havardii
- 147 -

White Oaks

33(32) Leaf width greatest at midleaf, 

 generally cruciform in shape; 

 glossy dark green above; light 

 green pubescence (feels 

 velvety to the touch) 

 beneath .................................... Q. margaretta 

Leaf width greatest in apical 

one-third, 3-lobed beyond midleaf, 

rarely cruciform in shape; glossy 

light to dark green above; 

grayish-green and sparsely 

glandular with sparse stellate 

hairs beneath....................................Q. similis
- 148 - 

Acorn. A single nut, circular in cross section with a scaly cup attached 

at the base.

Acuminate. The leaf tip is narrowed abruptly into a tapering point.

Acute. Either the leaf tip or the leaf blade ends in an angle less than 

90o and the tip is not prolonged into a point.

Allelopathy. Organic chemicals released by one plant that have a 

detrimental effect on the germination, growth, or metabolism of a 

different plant.

Annual. Acorns that mature in one growing season.

Apex. Tip, terminal end, or the narrowed and pointed end.

Appressed. Lying close and flat against.

Ascocarps. Sexual fruiting bodies of ascomycete fungi.

Attenuate. Leaf blade tapering to a long slender point.

Awn. A small pointed process or slender bristle.

Axillary. Situated in or growing from the angle formed by the 

junction of a vein and the midrib of a leaf.

Biennial. Acorns that mature in two growing seasons.

Bristle-tipped. The leaf tip and lobes are prolonged into a long 

slender bristle.

Ciliate. Margin fringed with short hairs.

Cordate. Heart-shaped with the base rounded and notched where the 

blade is attached to the petiole.

Cuneate. The leaf base is shaped like a wedge with straight sides 

tapering down to a point on the petiole.

Cup. Basal covering of an acorn.

Decurrent. Leaf blade extends down the petiole.

Dentate. The leaf margin has wide-angled teeth pointing outward.

GLOSSARY
- 149 -

Distal. Far from the point of attachment.

Elliptical. Leaf shaped like an ellipse with both the tip and base 

sloped uniformly.

Entire. Leaf margin is a smooth, even line with no indentations.

Glabrous. Smooth, not pubescent or hairy.

Glandular. Bearing glands.

Glaucous. Surface is covered with a whitish bloom that rubs off.

Lanceolate. Leaf shape is several times longer than wide and broadest 

below the middle, shaped like a spear point.

Lateral. Relating to the side.

Lenticel. Lens-shaped corky growths on young bark.

Lobe. The division of a leaf blade.

Margin. The edge of a leaf.

Midrib. The central vein or associated area of the leaf.

Mucronate. Lobe tip ends abruptly in a short, small point.

Nut. In the text, it is a general reference to the acorn, the 1-seeded nut 

of an oak (see acorn).

Oblanceolate. Leaf shape is somewhat lanceolate but is widest above 

the middle and tapering toward the petiole.

Oblong. Longer than broad with rounded ends and sides nearly 

parallel.

Obovate. Leaf shape is broadly egg-shaped and widest above the 

middle.

Obtuse. The leaf tip tapers abruptly to a blunt or rounded point 

forming an angle greater than 90o.

Ovate. Egg-shaped in outline; broad end at the base with the tip acute 

or rounded.

Peduncle. Stalk supporting one or more acorns.
- 150 - 

Petiole. Slender stem-like structure that supports the leaf blade.

Pith. Center of a stem.

Pubescent. Covered with fine soft short hairs.

Revolute. Edge of leaf is slightly rolled or turned under.

Rhizomatous. Thickened subterraneous stem producing shoots above 

and roots below.

Rounded. The leaf tip or leaf base makes a full arc in outline, Ushaped base.

Rugose. Wrinkled.

Sessile. Without a stalk or petiole.

Sinuate. The margin bends in a strong wavy line without producing a 

sinus.

Sinus. The space between two lobes of a leaf.

Spatulate. Leaf shape is broad and rounded above the middle but 

with the sides wedge-shaped and tapering toward the petiole.

Stellate. Resembling a star in shape or cross section.

Tomentulose. Slightly pubescent with matted (woolly) hair.

Tomentum. Densely pubescent.

Tooth. An edge or lobe of a leaf blade divided into toothlike 

projections, usually ending in a slender bristle.

Truncate. Leaf base almost forms a straight line at right angles to the 

midrib.

Vein. A rib-like thickened tissue in the leaf blade.

Woolly. Covered with long matted hairs.

Xerophytic. Structurally adapted for survival with a limited supply of 

water.
- 151 -

Brown, C.L. and L.K. Kirkman. 1990. Trees of Georgia and adjacent 

states. Timber Press, Portland, OR. 292 p.

Burns, R.M. and B.H. Honkala, tech. coords. 1990. Silvics of North 

America: 2. Hardwoods. Agricultural Handbook 654. U.S. Department 

of Agriculture, Forest Service, Washington, DC. Vol. 2, 877 p.

Chester, E.W., B.E. Wofford, and R. Kral. 1997. Atlas of Tennessee 

vascular plants volume 2. Angiosperms: Dicots. Miscellaneous 

Publication No. 13. The Center for Field Biology, Austin Peay State 

University, Clarksville, TN. 242 p.

Elias, T.S. 1980. The complete trees of North America: field guide and 

natural history. Times Mirror Magazines, Inc., New York, NY. 948 p.

Farrar, J.L. 1995. Trees in Canada. Canadian Forest Service and Fitzhenry 

& Whiteside Limited, Ottawa, Canada. 500 p.

Gleason, H.A. and A. Cronquist. 1991. Manual of Vascular Plants of 

Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada. The New York 

Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY. 910 p.

Haehnle, G.G. and S.M. Jones. 1985. Geographical distribution of 

Quercus oglethorpensis. Castanea 50(1):26-31.

Harvill, A.M., Jr., T.R. Bradley, C.E. Stevens, T.F. Wieboldt, D.M.E. 

Ware, D.W. Ogle, G.W. Ramsey, and G.P. Fleming. 1992. Atlas of 

the Virginia Flora III. Virginia Botanical Associates, Burkeville, VA. 

144 p.

Jensen, R.J. 1997. 5a. QUERCUS Linnaeus sect. LOBATAE Loudon, Hort. 

Brit. 385. 1830 Red or black oaks. In Flora of North America, North 

of Mexico, Vol. 3, pp. 447-468. Flora of North America Editorial 

Committee, editors. Oxford University Press, New York, NY. 590 p.

Jones, S.B. and N.C. Coile. 1988. The distribution of the vascular flora of 

Georgia. University of Georgia, Botany Dept., Athens, GA. 230 p.

Little, E.L. 1980. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North 

American Trees: Eastern region. Alfred A. Knopf, New York, NY. 716 

p.

Little, E.L. 1996. Forest trees of Oklahoma: How to know them. 14th

edition. Publication No. 1, Oklahoma Forest Service, Oklahoma City, 

OK. 205 p.

SELECTED REFERENCES
- 152 - 

Martine, C.T. 2000. Trees of New Jersey and the Mid-Atlantic States. 4th

edition. New Jersey Forest Service, Trenton, NJ. 112 p.

Miller, H.A. and S.H. Lamb. 1985. Oaks of North America. Naturegraph 

Publishers, Inc., Happy Camp, CA. 327 p.

Muller, C.H. 1942. The Central American species of Quercus. U.S. 

Department of Agriculture Miscellaneous Publication 477. 216 p.

Muller, C.H. 1956. The distribution of Quercus boyntoni. Madrono 13:

221-225.

Nixon, K.C. 1997. Fagaceae. In Flora of North America, North of Mexico, 

Vol. 3, pp. 436-506. Flora of North America Editorial Committee, 

editors. Oxford University Press, New York, NY. 590 p.

Nixon, K.C. and C.H. Muller. 1997. 5c. QUERCUS Linnaeus sect. QUERCUS

White oaks. In Flora of North America, North of Mexico, Vol. 3, pp. 

471-506. Flora of North America Editorial Committee, editors. Oxford 

University Press, New York, NY. 590 p.

Radford, A.E., H.E. Ahles, and C.R. Bell. 1968. Manual of the vascular 

flora of the Carolinas. University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill, 

NC. 1183 p.

Rhoads, A.F. and W.M. Klein, Jr. 1993. The vascular flora of 

Pennsylvania: Annotated checklist and atlas. American Philosophical 

Society, Philadelphia, PA. 636 p.

Sargent, C.S. 1922. Manual of the trees of North America (exclusive of 

Mexico). 2nd edition. The Riverside Press, Cambridge, MA. 910 p.

Strausbaugh, P.D. and E.L. Core. 1953. Flora of West Virginia (Part II). 

West Virginia University Bull. Series 53, No. 12-1:275-570.

Thomas, R.D. and C.M. Allen. 1998. Atlas of vascular flora of Louisiana. 

Volume III: Dicotyledons Fabaceae - Zygophyllaceae. Louisiana Dept. 

of Wildlife and Fisheries Natural Heritage Program, Baton Rouge, LA. 

248 p.

Walter, K.S. and H.J. Gillett, eds. 1998. 1997 IUCN red list of threatened 

plants. World Conservation Monitoring Centre, Cambridge, UK. 862 p.

Zavala-Chavez, F. 1989. Identificacion de encinos de Mexico. Division 

de Ciencias Forestales, Universidad Autonoma Chapingo, Chapingo, 

Mexico. 150 p.
- 153 -

INDEX OF COMMON NAMES

Recognized or preferred common names are in bold. Common names may 

be shared by different species in various locations and are prioritized on a 

regional basis. If preferred usage has been applied to other species, they are 

referenced. Page numbers in bold refer to the species description.

Arkansas oak, 10, 109

Arkansas water oak, see 

Arkansas oak, 10, 109

barren oak, see blackjack oak,

58, 111

basket oak, see swamp chestnut 

oak, 60, 116

bastard oak, 94, 118

bastard white oak, 12, 114 (also 

see bastard oak, 94)

bear oak, 38, 110

Bigelow oak, see bastard oak,

94, 118

black oak, 102, 113 (also see

blackjack oak, 58; northern 

pin oak, 24; scarlet oak, 22;

and willow oak, 80)

blackjack oak, 58, 111

blue oak, see bur oak, 54, 116

bluejack oak, 42, 110

blue Japanese oak, 4

bluff oak, see bastard oak, 94, 

118 and bastard white oak, 

12, 114

bottomland post oak, see swamp 

post oak, 92, 118

bottomland red oak, see 

cherrybark oak, 76, 112

Boynton oak, 16, 114

Buckley oak, 18, 109

bur oak, 5, 54, 116, 161

canyon oak, see Lacey oak, 46, 

115

Catesby oak, see turkey oak, 48, 

111

Chapman oak, 20, 114

Chapman white oak, see 

Chapman oak, 20, 114

cherrybark oak, 76, 112

chestnut oak, 66, 117 (also see

chinkapin oak, 68)

Chinese evergreen oak, 4

chinkapin oak, 68, 117

cinnamon oak, see bluejack oak, 

42, 110

Coastal Plain scrub oak, see 

turkey oak, 48, 111

cow oak, see swamp chestnut 

oak, 60, 116

Darlington oak, see laurel oak, 

36, 110 and swamp laurel 

oak, 50, 111

delta post oak, see swamp post 

oak, 92, 118

diamond-leaf oak, see swamp 

laurel oak, 50, 111
- 154 - 

Durand oak, see bastard oak, 94, 

118

Durand white oak, see bastard 

oak, 94, 118

durmast oak, 4

dwarf chinkapin oak, 82, 117

dwarf live oak, 62, 116

dwarf post oak, see sand post 

oak, 56, 116

eastern red oak, see northern red 

oak, 88, 113

eastern white oak, see white oak, 

8, 114

Elliott oak, see cherrybark oak, 

76, 112

encino oak, see sandpaper oak, 

86, 118

English oak, 4

European turkey oak, 4

Florida oak, 44, 111

forked-leaf white oak, see white 

oak, 8, 114

Georgia oak, 32, 110

gray oak, see northern red oak, 

88, 113

Havard oak, 34, 115

Hill’s oak, see northern pin oak, 

24, 109

iron oak, see post oak, 96, 118

jack oak, see northern pin oak, 

24, 109 and blackjack oak, 

58, 111

Lacey oak, 46, 115

laurel oak, 36, 110 (also see

shingle oak, 40 and swamp 

laurel oak, 50)

laurel-leaf oak, see swamp laurel 

oak, 50, 111

live oak, see southern live oak, 

104, 119 and Texas live oak, 

28, 115

maple-leaf oak, 6, 109

minimal oak, see dwarf live oak, 

62, 116

Mississippi Valley oak, see 

swamp post oak, 92, 118

Mohr oak, 64, 116

mossy-cup oak, see bur oak, 54, 

116

mossy-overcup oak, see bur oak, 

54, 116

mountain chestnut oak, see 

chestnut oak, 66, 117

mountain red oak, see northern 

red oak, 88, 113

myrtle oak, 70, 111

northern pin oak, 24, 109

northern red oak, 88, 113

Nuttall oak, see Texas red oak, 

98, 113

obtuse oak, see swamp laurel 

oak, 50, 111

Oglethorpe oak, 74, 117

oriental oak, 4

overcup oak, 52, 115

peach oak, see willow oak, 80, 

112
- 155 -

pin oak, 78, 112 (also see Texas 

red oak, 98; water oak, 72; 

and willow oak, 80)

possum oak, see water oak, 72, 

112

post oak, 96, 118 (also see sand

 post oak, 56)

prairie oak, see bur oak, 54, 116

pungent oak, see sandpaper oak, 

86, 118

quercitron oak, see black oak, 

102, 113

red oak, see cherrybark oak, 

76, 112; northern red oak, 

88, 113; scarlet oak, 22, 109; 

Texas red oak, 98, 113; and

water oak, 72, 112

Red River oak, see Texas red 

oak, 98, 113

rock oak, see chestnut oak, 66, 

117; chinkapin oak, 68, 117; 

and Lacey oak, 46, 115

rock chestnut oak, see chestnut 

oak, 66, 117 and chinkapin 

oak, 68, 117

runner oak, 84, 112 (also see

sand post oak, 56)

running oak, see runner oak, 84, 

112

sand live oak, 30, 115

sand post oak, 56, 116

sandjack oak, see bluejack oak, 

42, 110

sandpaper oak, 86, 118

sawtooth oak, 4

scalybark oak, see cherrybark 

oak, 76, 112

scarlet oak, 3, 22, 109

Schneck oak, see Shumard oak, 

90, 113

Schneck red oak, see Shumard 

oak, 90, 113

scrub oak, see bastard oak, 

94, 118; bear oak, 38, 110; 

Chapman oak, 20, 114; 

Mohr oak, 64, 116; myrtle 

oak, 70, 111; turkey oak, 48, 

111; and Vasey oak, 100, 119

scrub chestnut oak, see dwarf 

chinkapin oak, 82, 117

scrub live oak, see sandpaper 

oak, 86, 118 and Texas live 

oak, 28, 115

scrubby oak, see sand post oak, 

56, 116

shin oak, see bluejack oak, 42, 

110; Havard oak, 34, 115; 

Mohr oak, 64, 116; and

Vasey oak, 100, 119

shingle oak, 40, 110

shinnery, see Havard oak, 34, 

115

Shumard oak, 90, 113

Shumard red oak, see Shumard 

oak, 90, 113

smoky oak, see Lacey oak, 46, 

115

smooth-bark oak, see black oak, 

102, 113
- 156 - 

southern live oak, 104, 108, 119, 

120

southern red oak, 26, 49, 110, 

121 (also see Shumard oak, 

90)

Spanish oak, see Buckley 

oak, 18, 109; pin oak, 78, 

112; scarlet oak, 22, 109; 

southern live oak, 104, 119; 

and southern red oak, 26, 

110

spotted oak, see Buckley oak, 18, 

109; Shumard oak, 90, 113; 

and water oak, 72, 112

stave oak, see white oak, 8, 114

striped oak, see Texas red oak, 

98, 113

swamp oak, see pin oak, 78, 112

and Shumard oak, 90, 113

swamp chestnut oak, 60, 116

swamp laurel oak, 50, 111

swamp post oak, 92, 118 (also 

see overcup oak, 52)

swamp red oak, see cherrybark 

oak, 76, 112; Shumard oak, 

90, 113; and southern red 

oak, 26, 110

swamp Spanish oak, see 

cherrybark oak, 76, 112 and

pin oak, 78, 112

swamp white oak, 14, 114 (also 

see overcup oak, 52)

swamp willow oak, see willow 

oak, 80, 112

tanbark oak, see chestnut oak, 

66, 117

Texas live oak, 28, 115

Texas red oak, 19, 98, 113 (also 

see Buckley oak, 18)

turkey oak, 48, 111 (also see

bluejack oak, 42)

turkey-foot oak, see southern red 

oak, 26, 110 and turkey oak, 

48, 111

upland willow oak, see bluejack 

oak, 42, 110

Vasey oak, 100, 119

Virginia live oak, see southern 

live oak, 104, 119

water oak, 72, 112 (also see

Arkansas oak, 10; pin oak, 

78; southern red oak, 26; 

and swamp laurel oak, 50)

water white oak, see overcup 

oak, 52, 115

white oak, 8, 97, 114 (also see

bastard oak, 94 and swamp 

white oak, 14)

white shin oak, see bastard oak, 

94, 118

willow oak, 80, 112

yellow oak, see black oak, 102, 

113; chinkapin oak, 68, 117; 

and swamp post oak, 92, 118

yellow-bark oak, see black oak, 

102, 113

yellow chestnut oak, see 

chinkapin oak, 68, 117
- 157 -

Latin names in bold follow the taxonomy in the Flora of North America

(Jensen 1997). Synonyms are listed and cross referenced to the standardized 

names. Page numbers in bold refer to the species description.

Q. acerifolia, 6, 109

Q. acuminata, 117; see 

 Q. muehlenbergii, 68

Q. acutissima, 4

Q. alba, 8, 46, 114

Q. annulata, 118; see Q. sinuata 

var. breviloba, 94

Q. arkansana, 10, 109

Q. ashei, 116, 118; see

 Q. similis, 92

Q. austrina, 12, 114

Q. bicolor, 14, 114

Q. bicolor var. lyrata, 115; see

Q. lyrata, 52

Q. borealis, 89, 113; see

Q. rubra, 88

Q. boyntonii, 16, 114

Q. brayi, 116; see

 Q. michauxii, 60

Q. breviloba, 118; see Q. sinuata

var. breviloba, 94

Q. breviloba subsp. laceyi, 115; 

see Q. laceyi, 46

Q. buckleyi, 18, 99, 109

Q. caput-rivuli, 109; see

 Q. arkansana, 10

Q. catesbaei, 111; see

 Q. laevis, 48

Q. cerris, 4

Q. chapmanii, 20, 114

Q. cinerea, 110; see

Q. incana, 42

Q. coccinea, 3, 22, 109

Q. digitata, 110; see

 Q. falcata, 26

Q. durandii, 118; see

Q. sinuata, 94

Q. durandii var. austrina, 114; see

Q. austrina, 12

Q. durandii var. breviloba, 118; 

see Q. sinuata var. breviloba, 

94

Q. durandii var. san-sabeana,

118; see Q. sinuata var.

breviloba, 94

Q. ellipsoidalis, 24, 109

Q. falcata, 1, 26, 49, 110, 121

Q. falcata var. leucophylla, 112; 

see Q. pagoda, 76

Q. falcata var. pagodifolia, 112; 

see Q. pagoda, 76

Q. fusiformis, 3, 28, 115

Q. geminata, 30, 71, 115

Q. georgiana, 32, 110

Q. glauca, 4

Q. glaucoides, 115; see Q. laceyi, 

46

INDEX OF SCIENTIFIC NAMES
- 158 - 

Q. myrsinifolia, 4

Q. myrtifolia, 70, 111

Q. nana, 110; see Q. ilicifolia, 38

or Q. nigra, 72

Q. nigra, 13, 72, 112

Q. nuttallii, 99; see Q. texana, 98

Q. obtusa, 111; see

Q. laurifolia, 50

Q. obtusifolia var. breviloba, 118; 

see Q. sinuata var. breviloba, 

94

Q. obtusiloba, 118; see

 Q. stellata, 96

Q. oglethorpensis, 74, 117

Q. pagoda, 76, 93, 112

Q. pagodifolia, 112; see

 Q. pagoda, 76

Q. palustris, 78, 112

Q. petraea, 4

Q. phellos, 80, 112

Q. platanoides, 114; see

 Q. bicolor, 14

Q. prinoides, 69, 82, 117

Q. prinus, 67, 116, 117; see

Q. michauxii, 60 or

Q. montana, 66

Q. pumila, 84, 112

Q. pungens, 3, 86, 118

Q. pungens var. vaseyana, 119; 

see Q. vaseyana, 100

Q. rhombica, 111; see

Q. laurifolia, 50

Q. gravesii, 99, 113; see 

Q. texana, 98

Q. havardii, 2, 34, 115

Q. hemisphaerica, 36, 110

Q. houstoniana, 116; see

 Q. michauxii, 60

Q. ilicifolia, 1, 38, 110

Q. imbricaria, 1, 40, 110

Q. incana, 42, 71, 110

Q. inopina, 44, 111

Q. laceyi, 3, 46, 115

Q. laevis, 48, 71, 111

Q. laurifolia, 50, 111

Q. leucophylla, 112; see

 Q. pagoda, 76

Q. lyrata, 52, 115

Q. macrocarpa, 5, 54, 116, 161

Q. mandanensis, 116; see

Q. macrocarpa, 54

Q. margaretta, 56, 71, 116

Q. marilandica, 33, 58, 71, 111

Q. marilandica var. asheri, 59; 

see Q. marilandica, 58

Q. maxima, 113; see Q. rubra, 88

Q. michauxii, 60, 93, 116

Q. minima, 2, 62, 116

Q. minor, 118; see Q. stellata, 96

Q. minor var. margaretta, 116; 

see Q. margaretta, 56

Q. mohriana, 3, 64, 116

Q. montana, 33, 66, 117

Q. muehlenbergii, 1, 3, 68, 117
- 159 -

Q. texana, 19, 98, 113; see 

Q. buckleyi, 109 

Q. tinctoria, 113; see

 Q. velutina, 102

Q. uliginosa, 112; see

Q. nigra, 72

Q. undulata var. pungens, 118; 

see Q. pungens, 86

Q. undulata var. vaseyana, 119; 

see Q. vaseyana, 100

Q. variabilis, 4

Q. vaseyana, 2, 3, 100, 119

Q. velutina, 23, 102, 113

Q. virens var. dentate, 116; see

 Q. minima, 62

Q. virginiana, 71, 104, 108, 119, 

120

Q. virginiana var. dentate, 116; 

see Q. minima, 62

Q. virginiana var. fusiformis, 115; 

see Q. fusiformis, 28

Q. virginiana var. geminata, 115; 

see Q. geminata, 30

Q. virginiana var. minima, 116; 

see Q. minima, 62

Q. robur, 4

Q. rubra, 1, 23, 88, 99, 113

Q. rubra var. borealis, 89, 113; 

see Q. rubra, 88

Q. rubra var. buckleyi, 109; see 

Q. buckleyi, 18

Q. rubra var. texana, 113; see

 Q. texana, 98

Q. san-sabeana, 118; see

 Q. sinuata var. breviloba, 94

Q. schneckii, 113; see

 Q. shumardii, 90

Q. shumardii, 90, 93, 99, 113

Q. shumardii var. acerifolia, 109; 

see Q. acerifolia, 6

Q. shumardii var. buckleyi, 109; 

see Q. buckleyi, 18

Q. shumardii var. texana, 113; see

Q. texana, 98

Q. similis, 92, 118

Q. sinuata, 3, 13, 94, 118

Q. sinuata var. breviloba, 95; see

Q. sinuata, 94

Q. sinuata var. sinuata, 95; see

Q. sinuata, 94

Q. stellata, 33, 96, 118

Q. stellata var. boyntonii, 114; see

Q. boyntonii, 16

Q. stellata var. margaretta, 116; 

see Q. margaretta, 56

Q. stellata var. paludosa, 118; see

Q. similis, 92
- 160 -

Notes
REFERENCE CHARTS FOR 

RED AND WHITE OAK LEAVES*

-161-

*Bracketed numbers on the following pages are 

page references for each species description. 

Bur oak (Q. macrocarpa) “burial trees” were 

frequently used for above ground burial by Plains 

tribes. Aerial burial was believed to assist the soul 

in its journey to the afterlife. (Photo, David F. Barry, 

Denver Public Library Old West Collection)
Common in Eastern Deciduous Forests

Q. coccinea [22]

Q. ilicifolia [38] Q. imbricaria [40]

Q. palustris [78]

Q. falcata [26]

Q. rubra [88] Q. velutina [102]

Q. ellipsoidalis [24]
Red Oaks 

Common in Southeastern and Coastal Plain Mixed Forests Uncommon with Restricted Distributions

Q. nigra [72]

Q. hemisphaerica [36] Q. incana [42] Q. laurifolia [50]

Q. marilandica [58] Q. pagoda [76] Q. arkansana [10] Q. buckleyi [18]

Q. acerifolia [6]

Q. phellos [80] Q. pumila [84] Q. inopina [44] Q. myrtifolia [70]

Q. laevis [48]

Q. georgiana [32]

Q. texana [98]

Remove

Q. shumardii [90]
Q. margaretta [56]

White Oaks

Q. bicolor [14] Q. austrina [12] Q. lyrata [52]

Q. prinoides [82]

Q. similis [92]

Q. sinuata var. sinuata [94]

Q. michauxii [60] Q. minima [62]

Q. chapmanii [20] Q. geminata [30]

Q. montana [66]

Q. stellata [96] Q. virginiana [104]

Common in Eastern Deciduous Forests Common in Southeastern and Coastal Plain Mixed Forests

Q. macrocarpa [54]

Q. muehlenbergii [68]

Q. alba [8]

Remove
Q. oglethorpensis [74]

Q. pungens [86] Q. sinuata var. breviloba [94]

Q. fusiformis [28] Q. havardii [34]

Q. laceyi [46] Q. mohriana [64]

Q. vaseyana [100]

Uncommon with Restricted Distributions

Q. boyntonii [16]
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits 

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