Black Oak
(Quercus velutina)
Black Oak (Quercus velutina)
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Reuven Martin
Public Domain
Image By:
Reuven Martin
Recorded By:
Copyright:
Public Domain
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Reuven Martin | License Type: Public Domain | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ | Rights Holder: Reuven Martin | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2021-07-20T09:07:46-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Quercus velutina, commonly known as Black Oak, is a deciduous tree in the red oak group, native to a variety of habitats including dry upland forests, oak savannas, and forest edges across eastern and central North America. It is also referred to as Eastern Black Oak. In the northern part of its range, Black Oak typically reaches 20–25 meters (66–82 feet) in height with a trunk diameter of up to 90 centimeters (35 inches). The tree’s appearance is characterized by dark, furrowed bark and a broad, irregular crown. Its leaves are deeply lobed with bristle tips, turning a striking red or yellow in the fall. The monoecious Black Oak produces inconspicuous yellow-green flowers in spring. The pistillate flowers may be solitary or in spikes, leading to the production of acorns that are brown at maturity, ripening from late August to late October.
Black Oak is valued for its hardy nature and adaptability to different soil types, making it suitable for urban planting and reforestation projects. Its acorns are an important food source for wildlife. In cultivation, it prefers full sun to part shade and can tolerate a range of soil drainage conditions. While it is not commonly used for ornamental planting due to its less showy flowers, it is still an important ecological species. Gardeners should be aware of potential issues such as oak wilt disease and caterpillar pests. Black Oak is not typically invasive but can become dominant in some forest ecosystems if not managed.CC BY-SA 4.0
Black Oak is valued for its hardy nature and adaptability to different soil types, making it suitable for urban planting and reforestation projects. Its acorns are an important food source for wildlife. In cultivation, it prefers full sun to part shade and can tolerate a range of soil drainage conditions. While it is not commonly used for ornamental planting due to its less showy flowers, it is still an important ecological species. Gardeners should be aware of potential issues such as oak wilt disease and caterpillar pests. Black Oak is not typically invasive but can become dominant in some forest ecosystems if not managed.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Tree
- Height: 50-60 feet
- Width: 50-60 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Spring
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Slow, Medium, Fast
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Rabbit Resistant, Street Planting
Natural Habitat
Dry upland forests, oak savannas, and forest edges
Other Names
Common Names: Quercitron Oak, Yellow Oak, Yellow-Barked Oak, Chêne Des Teinturiers, Chêne Noir, Färgek
Scientific Names: , Quercus velutina, Quercus tinctoria, Quercus valentina, Quercus discolor, Quercus coccinea var. tinctoria, Quercus velutina f. magnifica, Quercus missouriensis, Quercus velutina f. missouriensis, Quercus velutina var. missouriensis
GBIF Accepted Name: Quercus velutina Lam.