Heres a snapshot of just some common oak species, and a little information about how to identify them. I have voted this up, interesting and useful and shared and pinned. It is not commonly imported and therefore is only typically found in use around its native areas. It is a relatively fast-growing tree, the lumber of which is commonly used in furniture making and construction (Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center). White Oak (Quercus Alba) One of the giants of the oak family. Though the wood of this tree offers good rot resistance and is fairly dense, it is sometimes considered inferior compared to other white oaks. Quercus species are characterized by alternate, simple, deciduous or evergreen leaves with … :). What type, red or white, is the Live Oak - Quercus virginiana? Red oak, on the other hand, should only be used for interiors and is popularly used for flooring and cabinet making. Oak Tree Varieties. This slow-growing tree is native to the eastern United States. It has medium to large pores, a coarse texture, and a low resistance to rot. Elena from London, UK on August 08, 2012: Very interesting and unique Hub. It produces tough wood with distinctive rings and variations in color from rich chocolate brown to creamy white. The varieties are divided into two … Black oak also tends to split well and make very good firewood. Typically associated with conifers and pines, firs, or incense cedars. Red oaks tend to have pointier lobes on their leaves compared to white oaks, and their acorns take two years to mature. Your hub has inspired me to take a look at the parent tree and see if I can find any clues about which type or oak tree it is. The tree is sometimes known as ‘swamp laurel,’ as it tolerates wet soils. It is popularly used in flooring and furniture making. Black oak trees typically thrive on the East Coast and in the midwestern United States, save for its relative species, the California black oak. They prefer dry soil, and their leaves are more deeply lobed than those of their close red oak relatives. Another good way to differentiate white from red oaks is the shape of the leaf lobes. The wood of this tree has been cultivated for timber since the 17th century and is still commonly used today for furniture making. I have pictures. It’s easy to get confused or feel overwhelmed when you’re trying to pick an oak sapling to plant in your garden from the hundreds of species available. Connie Smith from Southern Tier New York State on August 02, 2012: Very interesting and informative article FarmerRachel! Tree identification: Most species of oak are deciduous trees and a few are evergreen. LongTimeMother from Australia on January 28, 2013: I planted an oak tree today. There are dozens of oak tree varieties in North America. It is sometimes commonly known as ‘rock oak’ because it is often found in rocky environments. More than 80 species of this beautiful oak tree are found in North America.. All oaks trees are deciduous trees with toothed leaves and heavy, furrowed bark.The fruit is, of course, the acorn. Answer: You should do a soil test where you want to plant the trees. Trees.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Quercus mongolica — Mongolian oak — eastern Asia Quercus muehlenbergii — Chinkapin oak — eastern, central, and southwestern US (West Texas and New Mexico), northern Mexico Quercus oblongifolia — Arizona blue oak, Southwestern blue oak, or Mexican blue oak — # southwestern U.S., northwestern Mexico Quercus obtusata — Mexico Throughout time, oaks have provided people with shade, sturdy bark for building and acorns that have been an important food source. This list includes a few of the more common white and red oak species found in the US and a little information about how to identify them. These trees generally grow to between 70 and 100 feet tall, with trunk diameters ranging from 3 to 4 feet. This is because there are many other types of oak trees that have similar characteristics to the red oak tree, and therefore they are grouped together under the heading of ‘red oak’ and used in its place. Most oaks fall into one of two main categories: white oak and red oak. About 19 species of oak trees (Quercus spp.) The common name "oak" also appears in the names of species in related genera, notably Lithocarpus (stone oaks), as well as in those of unrelated species such as Grevillea robusta (silky oaks) and the Casuarinaceae (she-oaks). These medium-sized to large trees typically grow to between 70 and 100 feet tall with trunk diameters averaging 2 to 3 feet. The only giveaway, visually, is the rays, which differ in size. This tree is native to most of Europe and is especially prevalent in the UK, where it is an iconic tree that is incredibly important ecologically for supporting wildlife and biodiversity. Their acorn cups are brown and hairless. Rachel worked as a farm manager for 3 years in Pennsylvania. Some can only be distinguished by looking at the "hairs" on their stems, the colors of their acorn caps, or the number and shape of the lobes on their leaves. There are other oaks and evergreen oaks often referred to as "live oaks", but they might not be white oaks if they aren't the real Virginia live oak deal. This is one of the strongest types of red oak and has a medium red-brown color. The tree species listed in this section are white oaks that are common in the US. It offers superior strength as wood and is in high demand for use in furniture and interior carpentry. However, this wood is commonly used in the production of fences and makes brilliant firewood. Can you please tell me what kind of oak, on my property, had a ruffled bark? Oak trees are known for being strong and resilient, which is one of the reasons that more than 600 different types of oak trees exist all around the world. It is named ‘post oak’ because it has long been popularly used for making fence posts. Glad you liked the article! This species is very large but sometimes not as tall as other oaks. Their trunk bark is also more deeply ridged than that of other white oak species. maps may also aid in the separation of similar appearing species. The oak consists of more than 600 species and is one of the largest tree families in the world. Thanks! Aesthetically, there is very minimal difference between red oak and white oak. There are way too many trees for me to recommend to you! The distribution of each oak species can be further defined according to ecoregion. It was once thought that its origins lay in hybridization between willow oak (Quercus phellos) and water oak (Quercus nigra), though this is not widely accepted. Eastern white oak wood also burns very hot, so it's a great choice for home-heating or cooking with wood. You can get test kits cheap on the internet and even free from your Extension office. It has long been economically important in Europe, traditionally used as a wood in property construction, shipbuilding, and furniture making. This list covers the most common oak tree varieties. Learn to identify a few of the more common oak species based on their bark, leaves, and other characteristics. As a wood, it has a pale brown color, with a coarse grain and moderate to large-sized pores. The state tree was decided in 1907 by a vote of school children and in that tradition, another vote was held in 1973, effectively changing the state symbol to Quercus alba, White Oak. As a wood, it has a light brown color, large pores, and an uneven texture. Holm or … You can tell pin oaks from other red oaks by their downward-sloping lower branches. Trunk diameters for bur oaks typically range from 2 to 3 feet. Red oak leaves usually come to a point at the end of each lobe, while the lobes of white oak leaves tend to be rounded. These trees fall into two primary categories: red oaks and white oaks. Their leaves are their best identifier and are usually glossy or shiny on top, which distinguishes them from the leaves of most other red oak trees. White oak tends to be more expensive than red oak, predominantly because it is denser than red oak and therefore results in a heavier, sturdier, and more long-lasting product. Question: What is the proper name of the gray oak? Your email address will not be published. She owned and operated a small farm in Minnesota for 5 years, until 2019. 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