Oak Tree Identification

A symbol of strength and endurance, the magnificent oak tree is the national tree of countries like England, Germany, United States, Estonia, Wales, etc. Native to the northern hemisphere, primarily in America and parts of Asia, there are over 400 species of this genus, some of which are flowering trees. Learning about oak tree identification will help one distinguish among its many species.

Oak Tree Identification Guide

Live oak tree identification by leaf often depends upon the variety or types of the oak tree. Mostly, oak tree leaves are spirally and/or alternately arranged. Lobes are arranged on both sides of the leaf, which are serrated and have a smooth margin. Some oaks may also have evergreen leaves.

Types of Oak Trees
As mentioned earlier, there are over 400 species of oak trees. Some of the popular ones have been mentioned below.

White Oak: This incredible oak tree is the state tree of Connecticut, Illinois and Maryland. The White oak can grow between 80 to 100 feet in height, and has a rounded crown of 3 to 4 feet. The White oak grows very well in well-drained, loamy soils. Its bark is ash gray in color, with loose broad plates. The leaves are alternate, 4 to 7 inches long, and have 7 to 10 rounded lobes with yellow-green or reddish green flowers appearing in between the leaves.

Black Oak: The Black oak is a medium sized tree that grows up to 80 feet in height. It has a very unshapely crown that tends to taper with spindly branches on the top, thus, aiding in this oak tree identification. The leaves are lustrous shiny green, alternate, 4 to 10 inches long and simple. The bark of the young Black oak is gray, that turns rough and black on the outer side, while the inner bark becomes yellow-orange upon reaching maturity. The flowers are borne on short spikes in leaf axils in spring with the beautiful colored leaves. Read more on oak tree leaves turning yellow.

Northern Red Oak: This medium sized tree with a short trunk and a round crown can be found growing abundantly from Nova Scotia west along the US-Canadian border, to Minnesota, south to Arkansas and east to the northern half of Georgia! It belongs to the family of the Red oak. The leaves are shiny, alternate, 5 to 8 inches oblong with seven to eleven lobes, and very uniform in shape. The acorns they produce are highly valued by the animals and birds that live close to the tree.

Chestnut Oak: This oak has a crooked trunk and an irregular, narrow crown. Although it grows on dry rocky slopes, it prefers wet coves and stream sides. This tree grows anywhere between 50 to 70 feet in height. The bark on the older trees are thick and deeply divided into broad, rounded ridges. The leaves are alternate, with slightly oval edges and large round teeth. The flowers are borne between the leaves. Read more on other different types of oak trees.

Facts About Oak Trees

The varied size, shapes and colors as it is make oak tree identification easy and fun, but there are other interesting facts about this regal tree that makes it very interesting. How interesting? Well, see for yourself:

• The oak tree can live really long, like between 400 to 900 years!
• The oldest and perhaps the most famous oak tree is the gigantic Major Oak near the village of Edwinstowe, Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire, England. The tree is 900 plus years old, with a trunk that measures 33 feet in diameter. It is believed that this tree was the resting tree for Robin Hood and his men.
• The flower color of an oak tree depends upon it being either a male flower or a female flower.
• A fallen acorn (on the ground) has less than a 1/10,000 chance of growing into an oak tree.
• Oak trees produce their first acorn when they are 20 years old, but only if they have received a healthy amount of nutrients in their growing year. Most oak trees are nearly 50 years old when they bear their first acorn.No other tree, or leaves, have the distinction of either being a national tree, or being on the emblems of the flags respectively of as many nations as the oak does.

Know some more interesting facts about oak trees.

Well, I hope the oak tree identification pointers given above will help you know which one you live close to!