Oak Quercus
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- KWER-kus
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Oaks come in sizes from shrubs to large trees and can be evergreen or deciduous. There are at least 450 species within the genus which is in the beech family. Many are native to North America but many species are found in Europe and Asia. They can be ornamental or lumber trees and many provide wildlife value.
The alternate, simple leaves vary greatly in shape depending on the species and margins can be lobed, toothed or smooth. Some trees display colorful leaves in the fall and many hold onto their leaves into winter. The separate male and female flowers are borne in catkins and clusters in spring and the fruit is a nut called an acorn that usually has a cap.
Oaks can be found in wet to dry sites, in mountains and the coastal areas, in fact just about anywhere you live there is an oak suitable for you. Planting native oaks is one of the best things you can do for the preservation of wildlife. They attract a lot of caterpillars which is just what baby birds need. They provide food for butterflies and moths, mammals and waterfowl. In addition to all this, they provide nesting and cover sites.
Use our Find a Plant search engine to find the right oak for you.
The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common pests and insects.
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Mountain Ridge Top Garden - North Lawn and Upper Drive Border Mountain Ridge Top Garden - East Lawn and Lower Drive Border
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Quercus
- Family:
- Fagaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Temp. Northern Hemisphere to Malesia and Colombia
- Distribution:
- Throughout and cultivated
- Wildlife Value:
- Oak trees support a wide variety of Lepidopteran. You may see Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis) larvae which have one brood per season and appear from April-October in the south. Adult Imperial Moths do not feed. Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus), which have one flight from June-August everywhere but Florida where they emerge April-May. Edward's Hairstreak (Satyrium edwardsii), has one flight from May-July in the south and June-July in the north. Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus), has three to four flights in the south from February-November and two flights in the north from May-September. White-M Hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album) has three broods in the north from February-October. Horace’s Duskywing (Erynnis horatius) has three broods in Texas and the deep south from January-November, and two broods in the north from April-September. Juvenal’s Duskywing (Erynnis juvenalis) has one brood from April-June, appearing as early as January in Florida. Acorns provide food to birds and mammals. The tree provides shelter to birds and mammals. They are host plants to moths and butterflies.
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Cover/Habitat
- Wildlife Food Source
- Edibility:
- Acorns (nuts) are edible after tannins are leached or boiled out.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Poisonous
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Semi-evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Nut
- Fruit Description:
- Acorns vary in size and shape depending on the species.
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Flowers:
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Catkin
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Description:
- Pollen flowers in drooping, elongated clusters.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Semi-evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Lobed
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are simple and alternate. The shape and size vary as to the species. Margins can be lobed, toothed or smooth. Fall color varies from none to reds, yellows or orange.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Black
- Dark Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Furrowed
- Scaly
- Bark Description:
- The bark is gray and scaly or blackish and furrowed.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gray/Silver
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Bud Terminal:
- Cluster of terminal buds
- Stem Description:
- Twigs are slender with a star-shaped pith.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Nighttime Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Shade Tree
- Specimen
- Street Tree
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Moths
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Problems:
- Problem for Horses
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- Abdominal pain, constipation then diarrhea (occasionally bloody), depression, frequent urination, discolored urine, jaundice; acorns can obstruct the digestive tract
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Gallotannins, quercitrin, and quercitin
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Fruits
- Leaves
