Professional Documents
Culture Documents
25 Extension
PB1731
Introduction 3
Purpose 3
Getting Started 3
References 16
2
Identifying Oak Trees
Native to Tennessee
Using ‘Brief Recognizable Features’
David Mercker, Extension Specialist
David Buckley, Assistant Professor
Brien Ostby, Research Assistant
Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries
Introduction Purpose
From the bottomland swamps in the west This publication on identifying oak trees will
to the mountain peaks in the east, Tennessee is introduce you to brief recognizable features or
enriched with a medley of forest trees like few “BRFs.” BRFs (pronounced briefs) are easy to
other states. Diversity in soil types, climate and remember and will help you distinguish between
elevation give Tennessee an environmental gradi- different oak species. Using BRFs, this publication
ent that provides habitats for approximately 190 summarizes key features that will allow speedy
native forest trees and large shrubs. and accurate identification of Tennessee oaks.
Oak trees are an important component of
many Tennessee forests and are of particular Getting Started
interest to landowners, homeowners, the forest First, determine whether your unknown tree
industry, students and outdoor enthusiasts alike. is an oak. The best indication is the presence of
Oaks are deserving of special recognition, due to acorns and acorn caps beneath the tree. Next,
their important role in Tennessee’s history, both decide if your tree is an upland or bottomland
ancient and modern. Unmatched in economic oak. Soil moisture is a significant factor in deter-
and biological value, oaks provide not only fine mining where specific oak trees are most likely
lumber for wood products, but also acorns and to be found growing. Foresters typically classify
foliage that feed an array of wildlife. Due to their forest sites as upland or bottomland; upland sites
handsome and sturdy appearance, oaks are also are higher in elevation than bottomland sites,
a welcome addition to the landscaping of yards and often occur on hilly terrain with good water
and homesteads. drainage. Bottomland sites are wet for some or all
Twenty distinct species of oak are native to of the year, and include land adjacent to creeks,
Tennessee. Correctly identifying oaks can some- rivers and swamps. Be aware that trees will some-
times be challenging, even for well-trained forest- times wander away from sites where they are
ers and botanists. Close observation of several usually found. Some bottomland oaks like willow,
physical traits and clues is often required in ad- water and pin oaks can survive on upland sites,
dition to looking at the leaves. Introduced species and are often planted around homes.
(those not native to Tennessee), such as sawtooth The next step in identifying your tree is to
oak, are not addressed in this publication. detemine if your tree belongs to the Red oak or
3
White oak group. Of the 20 oak species found in Tennessee oaks can be categorized based on
Tennessee, 12 are members of the red oak group site and species groups as follows.
and eight are in the white oak group. General char-
acteristics of each can be summarized as follows: Upland
Bristle-Tipped Rounded-Tipped
The red oaks - leaf tip and lobes are usually (Red Oaks) (White Oaks)
bristle-tipped; acorns mature Northern red oak White oak
at the end of two growing sea- Southern red oak Chestnut oak
sons; inner shell of nut is usually
Black oak Post oak
wooly or silky; acorns usually
germinate in the spring and nor- Scarlet oak Chinkapin oak*
mally taste bitter; bark is gray, Blackjack oak
black or brownish-black. Shingle oak *saw-toothed but lacks bristle
Bottomland
Pin oak Swamp chestnut oak
Water oak Bur oak
Cherrybark oak Overcup oak
Nuttall oak Swamp white oak
Willow oak
Shumard oak
4
Upland Red Oaks
shallow sinuses
5
Upland Red Oaks continued
6
Upland Red Oaks continued
7
Upland Red Oaks continued
8
Upland White Oaks continued
9
Upland White Oaks continued
10
Bottomland Red Oaks
lobes at
1. Pin oak (Quercus palustris) right angle
to mid vein.
Leaves - five to seven wide lobes with deep sinuses;
lobes are at right angles to midvein; leaf
base more-or-less flattened; underside
with tufts of hair at vein angles (similar to
black oak); persistent through winter.
Acorn - very small (1/2˝ long); quite round, dark brown
with mahogany red streaks from cup to tip;
cup saucer-shaped, thin, red-brown, scaly.
Bark - light to dark brown; nearly smooth with scarce
furrows and many small knots.
Other - having many short, side twigs that droop closer
to the base; retaining dead (often pin-like)
branches for many years.
drooping
lower branches
11
Bottomland Red Oaks continued
tight,
flaky bark
12
Bottomland Red Oaks continued
13
Bottomland White Oaks
14
Bottomland White Oaks continued
15
References:
Harlow, William M. 1946. Fruit Key and Twig Key to Trees and Shrubs. Dover Publications, Inc.
New York. 56p.
Harrar, Ellwood S. and J. George Harrar. 1962. Guide to Southern Trees. Dover Publications, Inc.
New York. 709 p.
Little, Elbert L. 1980. The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees: Eastern Re-
gion. Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. 714 p.
Mohlenbrock, Robert H. 1980. Forest Trees of Illinois. Department of Botany, Southern Illinois
University. 331 p.
Neelands, R. W. 1995. Important Forest Trees of the Eastern United States. United States Depart-
ment of Agriculture, Forest Service. 112 p.
Rosenow, John. What Tree Is That? The National Arbor Day Foundation. 70 p.
Stein, John, et. al. 2003. Field Guide to Native Oak Species of Eastern North America. United
States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. FHTET-2003-01.
Wofford, B. Eugene and Edward W. Chester. 2002. Guide to the Trees, Shrubs and Woody Vines
of Tennessee. The University of Tennessee Press, Knoxville, TN. 286 p.