Habitat

• northeastern and north-central U. S.
• zone 3

Habit and Form

• a large, deciduous tree
• to 75' tall
• rounded outline
• upright spreading branches
• large single trunk
• long-lived

Summer Foliage

• alternate leaf arrangement
• 5" to 8" long leaves; 4' to 6" wide
• 7 to 11 bristle-tipped broad lobes
• mature foliage color is dark green above
• leaf surface lustrous

Autumn Foliage

• a mixture of russet-red, yellow and tan
• color develops late
• can be quite good or disappointing

Flowers

• pale yellow-green catkins (male)
• adds slight seasonal interest in May
• monoecious

Fruit

• 0.75" to 1" long brown acorn
• borne singly or in pairs
• acorns have a large, saucer-like cap
• takes two years to mature (black oak group)
• can be numerous, creating a litter problem on lawns and sidewalks

Bark

• brown to black on old branches and trunks
• shallow fissures and ridges that deepen as a plant gets older
• bark on young branches is smooth

Culture

• full sun
• well drained, acidic, sandy loans are best
• easily transplanted for an oak
• grows rapidly for an oak
• withstands urban conditions well
• needs ample room to develop

Landscape Use

• shade tree
• lawn tree
• campuses
• golf courses
• possible street tree where space is sufficient

Liabilities

• chlorosis on high pH soils
• oak wilt has been a problem in the middle U.S.
• needs room to develop
• numerous caterpillars enjoy oak foliage, but feeding damage is usually not severe

ID Features

• large tree
• 7 to 11 broad lobes with a bristle at the tip
• large brown acorns with a flat, saucer-like cap
• buds are chestnut brown

Propagation

• by seed

Cultivars/Varieties

'Aurea' - Not common in the United States, this selection features young leaves with a golden yellow color. This effect will probably fade with the onset of warm weather in hot summer areas of the United States.

'Splendens' - This selection is notable for its fine red fall color. It is not commonly available.