Your New Oak Tree

BLACK OAK (Quercus velutina)

Quick Facts

• Mature size: 80-100 ft tall
• Growth rate: slow
• Sun preference: Requires full sun and will not tolerate shade.
• Soil and water: Thrives in well-drained, slightly acidic soil. It tolerates poor and dry soil as well. 

Attributes

• Black Oaks have a blackish outer bark
• The inner bark is yellow in color has has been used as a dye. 

Wildlife
The small acorns from this tree are a favorite of deer and squirrels and also enjoyed by several species of birds and mammals.

Source: Arbor Day Foundation

BUR OAK (Quercus macrocarpa)

Quick Facts

• Mature size: Typically 70-80’ tall, can grow up to 100’. 80’ spread. Sun preference: Full sun
• Growth rate: Slow, less than 1’ per year
• Soil and water: Will grow in many soil types- acidic or alkaline soil, as well as loamy, sandy, or clay soil. Grows well in wet, well-drained soil. 
• Tolerates pollution and heat stress

Attributes

• Provides dense shade
• Yields acorns that are larger than other acorn varieties. Acorns have noticeable burs/caps.
• Can live for more than 200-300 years
• Grows in a rounded shape

Wildlife
The acorns are the preferred food for many birds and mammals, including squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits, mice, deer, black bear, wild turkey, blue jays, and woodpeckers. The trees are also browsed by deer. Red tailed hawks and screech owls nest in the larger trees.

Source: Arbor Day Foundation, USDA Plant Database

Quick Facts

• Mature size: The chinkapin oak grows to a height of 40–50′ and a spread of 50–60′ at maturity.
• Growth rate: This tree grows at a slow to medium rate, with height increases of anywhere from less than 12″ to 24″ per year.
• Sun preference: Full sun is the ideal condition for this tree, meaning it should get at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day.
• Soil and water: The chinkapin oak grows in acidic, alkaline, loamy, moist, sandy, well-drained, wet and clay soils. It tolerates wet conditions and some drought but does best in well-drained areas that do not experience severe drought.

Attributes

• Features simple, oblong to oblong-lanceolate leaves that are dark yellowish green, coarsely toothed and 4–6½” in length. Fall color varies from yellow to orangish-brown to brown.
• Adapts to many soil conditions.
• Yields 1″ round acorns that mature in the first year.
  Grows in a rounded shape.

Wildlife
Chinkapin oak acorns are the preferred food for wild turkeys, grouse, white-tailed deer, black bears, chipmunks, squirrels and hogs. Cattle will eat the leaves.

Source: Arbor Day Foundation

PIN OAK (Quercus Palustris)

Quick Facts

• Mature size: The pin oak grows to a height of 60–70′ and a spread of 25–40′ at maturity.
• Growth rate: This tree grows at a fast rate, with height increases of more than 24″ per year.
• Sun preference: Full sun is the ideal condition for this tree, meaning it should get at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day.
• Soil and water: The pin oak grows in acidic, loamy, moist, rich, sandy, well-drained, wet and clay soils. It can tolerate wet conditions, including moderate flooding.

Attributes

• Has a distinctive branching pattern that sets it apart, especially in winter.
• Provides great fall color, with leaves turning shades of scarlet and bronze.
• Is easier than most to transplant.
• Features glossy, dark green leaves that are 3–6″ long with 5 lobes (although sometimes 7–9) separated by very deep sinuses.
• Produces yellow-green catkins that are 5–7″ long and typically appear in April and May.
• Yields acorns that are nearly round and ½” long with a thin, saucer-like cap made of small, tight scales.
• Offers dense shade.
• Tolerates heat, air pollution and compacted soil.
• Develops a single, central trunk from ground to tip.
• Grows in a pyramidal shape.
• Cannot tolerate alkaline soils.

Wildlife
Pin oak acorns are eaten by many songbirds, wild turkeys, white-tailed deer, squirrels and smaller rodents but are a particularly important food for many ducks.

Source: Arbor Day Foundation

NORTHERN RED OAK (Quercus Rubra)

Quick Facts

• Mature size: The northern red oak grows to a height of 60–75′ and a spread of around 45′ at maturity.
• Growth rate: This tree grows at a fast rate, with height increases of more than 24″ per year.
• Sun preference: Full sun is the ideal condition for this tree, meaning it should get at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day.
• Soil and water: The northern red oak grows in acidic, loamy, moist, sandy, well-drained and clay soils. While it prefers normal moisture, the tree has some drought tolerance.

Attributes

• Grows more than two feet per year for 10 years.
  Provides great fall color, with leaves turning russet-red to bright red.
• Is easier than most to transplant.
• Features alternating leaves that are 4–8″ long and have 7–11 waxy, spine-tipped lobes.
• Produces pale yellow-green catkins that appear at about the same time new foliage is expanding, typically April–May.
• Yields acorns that are round and ¾–1″ long with a flat, thick, saucer-like cap.
• Offers great shade due to a dense crown.
• Tolerates pollution and compacted soil.
• Grows in a rounded shape.

Wildlife
Acorns from this tree are at the top of the food preference list for blue jays, wild turkeys, squirrels, small rodents, whitetail deer, raccoons and black bears. Deer also browse the buds and twigs in wintertime.

Source: Arbor Day Foundation

SWAMP WHITE OAK (Quercus Bicolor)

Quick Facts

• Mature size: Large- 50-60’ tall, 50-60’ spread
• Growth rate: Medium, 13-24” per year
• Sun preference: Full sunlight
• Soil and water: Grows in acidic, moist, well-drained, and wet soils. It is tolerant of drought, compacted soil and some salt exposure.

Attributes

• Produces beautiful fall color in shades of yellow, bronze, and red-purple.
• Yields oblong acorns in pairs, each about 1” in length
• Is adapted to low-lying areas with poor drainage
• Can experience chlorosis (yellowing of leaves while veins remain green) if soil is not acidic enough
• Flowers are inconspicuous

Wildlife
Swamp White Oak trees provide cover for many animals. The acorns are sweet and a valuable food for squirrels, mice, white tail deer, beaver, and many birds, such as ducks and turkey. Humans can also eat the acorns, and they have been used to make bread.

Source: Arbor Day Foundation, USDA Plant Database

SHUMARD OAK (Quercus shumardii)

Quick Facts

• Mature size: 40’-60’
• Growth rate: Medium
• Sun preference: Full Sun
• Soil and water: Acidic, Alkaline, Drought, Loamy, Well Drained

Attributes

• Beautiful fall leaves turning bright red and red-orange
• Produces egg shaped acorns every 2-4 years. 
• Tolerates pollution and compact soil.
• Grows well in urban areas which makes it a good street tree

Wildlife
The small acorns from this tree are a favorite of deer and squirrels and also enjoyed by several species of birds and mammals.

Source: Arbor Day Foundation

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