20 Different Types of Oak Trees
Oak trees are a variety of shrubs or plant life that is indigenous to North America and throughout Asia. The species varies as some oak trees are deciduous while others are evergreen varieties. Oaktree varieties can thrive in various temperate climates across the Northern Hemisphere. In addition, they can be found in tropical locations.
1. The Southern Red Oak attracts butterflies and even hosts two types of moth larvae.
The Southern Red Oak (Quercus falcata), also known as the Spanish Oak, is the 3-Lobed Red Oak, or the Bottomland Red Oak, is native to the North American continent. This Southern Oak is deciduous and can grow to about 100 feet (or more in the wild) and has a trunk that can boast a diameter of five feet. The Southern Red Oak needs a partially shaded, dry soil spot to thrive. Its acorn, which matures at the end of the 2nd season, measures about ½ inch in length.
2. The Scarlet Oak name highlights its bright red leaves that appear in the fall.
This Scarlet Oak, which is a shelter for many birds and small mammals, is primarily found in the eastern & central parts of the United States and is the official Washington, DC tree. The Scarlet Oak grows in a pyramidal shape and prefers acidic and dry soil. It is considered a medium-sized tree that can grow to 100 feet and is fast-growing with a relatively early maturity. Its leaves are characterized by seven broad lobes and oval acorns that mature in 1.5 years.
3. The Sessile Oak requires a lot of water.
Sessile Oak (Quercus petraea), which is also known as the Irish Oak, Cornish Oak, or Durmast Oak, is native to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia Minor. The Sessile Oak is recognized to be Ireland’s national tree. Among the many types of oak trees, the Sessile Oak is deciduous and can grow to heights that exceed 125 feet. The Sessile Oak’s acorn measures over one inch and can mature quickly in only six months. Its timber has antimicrobial properties and is used for many purposes, from cabinets to roof beams, etc.
4. Shingle Oak trees were once used to make shingles, hence their name.
The Shingle Oak (Quercus imbricaria) is one of the deciduous types of oak trees that are primarily found in North America’s Midwest and upper southern regions. It grows up to 100 feet when growing in the southern Indiana and Illinois areas. The Shingle Oak tree prefers to grow in good drainage areas, with full sun, in altitudes of up to 2,300 feet. The Shingle Oak is one of the lowest maintenance types of oak trees.
5. Shumard Oak leaves turn a red scarlet color in autumn.
The Shumard Oak tree (Quercus shumardii), which is also named the Swamp Red Oak, the Spotted Oak, or Schnecke Oak, is among the largest of the many types of oak trees. The Shumard Oak tree is native to North America and grows in a pyramid shape. Its lobed leaves turn a bright red or scarlet when autumn arrives. While its size depends on its region, it can reach up to 115 feet, with a trunk diameter that can be measured up to 39 inches.
6. Blackjack Oak wood is considered an excellent source of BBQ heat.
The Blackjack Oak (Quercus marilandica) is one of the smaller oak trees (typically maxing out around 50 feet) that is native to the central and eastern United States. The Blackjack Oak has the ability to grow in sandy soil, where few other plants and trees typically survive. The bark of the Blackjack Oak grows in rectangular plates highlighted with orange fissures. Its acorns are eaten by wild turkeys and whitetail deer.
7. Water Oak trees are a type of oak that is well-adapted to wetlands.
The Water Oak (Quercus nigra), which is also known as the Orange Oak, Spotted Oak, or Punk Oak, is native to the eastern third of the United States and as far east as Oklahoma. As one of the deciduous types of oak trees, the Water Oak is considered a medium-sized tree that can grow upwards of 98 feet. It reproduces easily and quickly but only lives up to 80 years, relatively short for the wide varieties of oak trees.
8. White Oak Tree wood is used to construct musical instruments (like banjos) and wine barrels.
The White Oak Tree (Quercus alba) is native to central & the eastern United States and considered among the superior hardwoods available. While the natural timber is light grey, its name is derived from the color of the wood when finished. White Oaks can grow to approximately 100 feet and live for more than 400 years, and often has a massive canopy. This type of oak tree tolerates various climates and habitats and is mainly found in lowlands.
9. Cherrybark Oak is considered quite valuable due to the strength & form of its wood.
The Cherrybark Oak (Quercus pagoda), which is native to North America, is among the hardiest and fastest-growing types of oak trees. It can grow to heights that exceed 125 feet, with a trunk diameter that can measure up to five feet. The acorns from the Cherrybark oak are about ½ in length and feed a variety of wildlife species, from raccoons to fox squirrels and many birds.
10. Chestnut Oak trees are canopy type and found in oak-heath forests.
The Chestnut Oak, which can also be called the Rock Oak, is native to the eastern parts of the United States. The Chestnut Oak tree is recognized to be among the most important types of ridgetop trees. This type of oak is not a large variety as it only reaches about 70 feet on average, although some grow twice that height in ideal conditions. The acorns from the Chestnut Oak are among the largest, measuring up to 1.25 inches.
11. Evergreen Oak is considered invasive by United Kingdom standards.
The Evergreen Oak (Quercus ilex), which is also known as Holm Oak, Holly Oak, and Evergreen Oak, is one of the European types of oak trees native to the Mediterranean area. This oak tree is a type of evergreen that can grow over 90 feet in ideal climates and conditions. Unlike most other types of oak trees, the Evergreen Oak’s acorns mature in only one summer. This oak tree’s wood has been used in construction for many millennia.
12. Willow Oak trees produce very small acorns that range from .25 to .5 inches.
The Willow Oak (Quercus phellos), which is native to the eastern and south-central sections of the United States, grows most often in lowland floodplains or near streams in altitudes no higher than 1,300 feet. The Willow Oak tends to do best when grown in a full sun spot in moist soil that is well-drained. This type of oak tree grows fast and is hardy, which is why it is a popular horticultural choice.
13. Overcup Oak trees are considered one of the most flood tolerant trees across North America.
The Overcup Oak is one of the medium-sized types of oak trees that are native to the south-central and eastern United States. It is a deciduous oak tree that can grow as high as 150 feet. The Overcup Oak’s acorns can grow up to one inch and are almost entirely enclosed by its overcup, hence its name. The Overcup Oak, with its expansive canopy, provides shelter and food to a wide variety of wildlife but prefers part to full sun.
14. Pin Oak trees are fast-growing oaks and easy to transplant.
The Pin Oak (Quercus palustris), which is also called the Swamp Spanish Oak, is among the most used oaks for landscaping purposes. The Pin Oak is a deciduous type of oak tree that prefers full sun and is native to North America, with the ability to tolerate pollution better than other trees. Pin Oaks grow to about 70 feet tall, with a lifespan that is considered relatively short – at 120 years.
15. Post Oak trees are small oaks that tend to grow slowly.
The Post Oak (Quercus stellata), which is also known as the Iron Oak or the Post Oak, is one of the types of oak trees that is native to central and eastern sections of the United States. The Post Oak is a slow-growing oak that is resistant to drought and even fire. Post oaks are considered relatively small, growing up to 50 feet on average. These oak trees grow in drier areas, like the top of a ridge.
16. Northern Red Oak Tree is among only a few plants that can tolerate black walnut toxicity.
The Northern Red Oak Tree (Quercus rubra), which can be known as the Champion Oak, is native to the Midwest sections of the United States as well as the southern parts of Canada. The Northern Red Oak prefers moist acidic soil with full or partial sun exposure. On average, these types of deciduous oak trees grow to about 90 feet but can reach 140+ feet in exceptional conditions.
17. Southern Live Oak is the iconic oak tree that represents the deep south.
The Southern Live Oak (Quercus virginiana) is a type of oak tree that is endemic to the southeastern sections of the U.S. “When given enough room to grow, their [Southern Live Oaks’] sweeping limbs plunge toward the ground before shooting upward, creating an impressive array of branches.” Today, there are many very old specimens of the Southern Live Oak still alive in the deep south. Southern Live Oak’s timber is strong and heavy but can be challenging to work with. It is often used to construct ship timbers and was used to build the USS Constitution.
18. Bur Oak trees have some of the largest acorns of any other type of oak tree.
The Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa), which is sometimes known as the Scrub Oak, Blue Oak, or Mossycup oak, is native to southern-central Canada as well as a central swath of states across the Midwest. The Bur oak is considered one of the larger decidious types of oak trees. This type of slow-growing oak can grow to 100 feet on average but has been as tall as 150 feet. The acorns are an important source of wildlife food.
19. Black Oak trees have an inner bark that has a yellow pigment.
The Black Oak (Quercus velutina) is native to central and eastern North America. The Black Oak is considered a small oak tree that grows up to 80 feet on average. However, in ideal conditions, it can grow to more than 135 feet. These oak trees grow in various habitats but are best on lower and middle slopes across elevations that reach 3,900 feet. The Black Oak generates seeds when it reaches about 20 years of age, with new crops every 2 or 3 years.
20. Chinkapin Oak acorns are a favorite food of the turkey.
The Chinkapin Oak (Quercus muehlenbergii) is a type of deciduous oak tree that is native to central/eastern sections of North America. The Chinkapin Oak’s acorns form without stalks and turn a golden chestnut brown during autumn months. This oak variety is not found in higher elevations of the Appalachian Mountains. The Chinkapin Oak is named to honor a Pennsylvania amateur botanist.
