Get to know this plant.
Identification clue 1
Bristle-tipped lobes
Identification clue 2
Usually moderate leaf sinuses
Identification clue 3
Acorns with shallow saucer-like cups
Read the leaves
Leaves commonly have seven to eleven pointed lobes. The sinuses usually do not cut as close to the midrib as scarlet oak.
More growing details
Read the bark
Pale vertical bands on mature upper bark can resemble ski tracks, but this is supporting evidence.
Fruit & seed
Broad acorns have relatively shallow, saucer-like cups.
Winter character
Clustered pointed terminal buds and upper-trunk bark help; confirm with leaves or acorns.
Origin & place
The species occurs naturally in the southern Appalachian region; a planted specimen is not evidence of wild local origin.
Compare with Scarlet oak
Scarlet oak has deeper, often rounded sinuses and a deeper acorn cup.
WNC Notes
Fast-growing native oak for large, well-drained sites; avoid alkaline compacted soil.
Sun Exposure
Full sun
MATURE HEIGHT (FT)
60–75
MATURE WIDTH (FT)
45–60
BLOOM SEASON
Spring
BLOOM COLOR
Catkins
FALL / WINTER COLOR
Red-brown
Wet-Soil Tolerance
Moderate
Drought Tolerance
Moderate