10 Different Types of Oak Trees Found in Michigan
Michigan is home to many different types of oak trees, some of which are native to the area. Depending on where you are in Michigan, more common oak trees are known by multiple names.
So, what are the different types of oak trees in Michigan? With the most common types being red oak, there are also other trees, including white, black, and pin oak.
Each type of oak tree has its unique characteristics. In this blog post, we will discuss the different types of oaks that can be found in Michigan, as well as their distinguishing features.
Complete List of Oak Trees in Michigan
Did you know that Michigan has over 14 different Oak tree species? There are over 600 species of Oak trees in the world, and Michigan has a little over 2% of the Oak trees in it. Below, we will provide a breakdown of these trees and a few interesting facts about them.
1. Northern Red Oak
The Northern Red Oak (Quercus Rubra) is Michigan’s most common oak tree. It can grow up to 75 feet tall and has a reddish-brown bark. The main distinctive feature is its eight-inch long leaves with bristle-tipped lobes. Other markers include reddish petiole, forming one to two inches.
Northern Red Oak tree’s leaves are also noticeable dull green with a lighter green. However, the bark also includes shiny ridges with stripes in the center. It’s the only tree that has this marker that spans down to the tree trunk.
The Northern Oak is sometimes confused with the Southern Red Oak, which is similar in appearance. However, the tree is native to North America, specifically the eastern and central United States.
Other Common Names: Gray oak, Eastern Red Oak, Mountain Oak, or Champion Oak.
2. White Oak
White oaks (Quercus Alba) are medium to large trees that can grow up to 100 feet tall. They have a light-colored bark, and their leaves are a bluish-green color. The White Oak tree does not have white bark, even though the name may seem otherwise.
White Oak’s bark is generally light gray, and the wood color is light brown with paler sapwood. The leaves are shaped obovate or oblong. Each leaf is distinctive by seven to nine-lobed sinuses.
The White Oak is found in the eastern and central United States and parts of Canada. It’s the official state tree of Illinois and Maryland.
Other Common Names: Silverleaf oak and Stave Oak.
3. Black Oak
Black oaks (Quercus Velutina) are medium to large trees that can grow up to 82 feet tall. Despite the name Black Oak, these trees are known for being the color of dark chocolate. The wood is also a darker brown, and the leaves are a deep green.
The Black Oak’s leaves are oblong, each with seven to nine-lobed sinuses. Each leaf has a distinct color, including a deep shiny green with a yellowish-brown color. The most prominent characteristic is that the tree leaves have deep U-shaped sinuses and are covered with white hairs.
The Black Oak is found in the eastern United States. It’s also the official tree of New Jersey.
Other Common Names: Yellow Oak, Querccitron, Yellow Bark Oak, and Smoothbark Oak.
4. Pin Oak
Pin oaks (Quercus Palustris) are small to medium trees that can grow up to 40 feet tall. They have a reddish-brown bark, and their leaves are a deep green. The main distinguishing feature of the Pin Oak is its long, thin leaves.
The Pin Oak’s leaves are oblong and have five to seven-lobed sinuses. The most distinguishing feature is that the leaves are thin and pointy, similar to the shape of a pine needle. Hence the name “Pin” Oak.
The Pin Oak is found in the eastern United States. It’s also the official tree of Connecticut. The tree is located east of North America, specifically in swampy or wet areas. However, it originated from Europe and was brought over by settlers.
Other Common Names: Swamp Oak, Water Oak, and Swamp Spanish Oak.
5. Bur Oak
Bur oaks (Quercus Macrocarpa) are large trees that can grow up to 115 feet tall. They have a light-colored bark, and their leaves are a deep green. The main distinguishing feature of the Bur Oak is its large, round leaves.
The Bur Oak’s leaves are narrower and deeply lobed compared to others. The leaves won’t display strong fall colors, but the distinctive color has golden hues on the green leaves.
A Bur Oak might be confused with white oak, as they appear similar. However, the white oak has smaller leaves with pointy tips, while the Bur Oak’s leaves are large and round. You can find Bur Oak trees in the eastern and central United States.
Other Common Names: Mossycup Oak, Mossycup White Oak, Blue Oak, and Scrub Oak.
6. Swamp White Oak
Swamp white oaks (Casuarina Glauca) are large trees that can grow up to 115 feet tall. They have a light-colored bark, and their leaves are a deep green. The main distinguishing feature of the swamp white oak is its large, round leaves.
Swamp white oaks are similar in appearance to Bur oaks. However, the swamp white oak has large, rounded leaves with smooth edges, while the Bur Oak’s leaves are deeply lobed.
You can find white swamp oaks in the eastern United States. You can find them in the Lower Peninsula near Saginaw Bay in Michigan.
Other Common Names: Swamp She-Oak, Swamp Oak, Grey Oak, River Oak.
7. Chinkapin Oak
Chinkapin oaks (Quercus Muehlenbergii) are generally trees, but they can end up looking like low-growing shrubs. The one in Michigan is a small tree that grows only about 15 feet tall and is often confused with a Chestnut Oak Tree.
Chinkapin Oak is gray with flaky bark. The appearance is similar to white oak, but the main difference is that the bark has a more yellow and brown tint. Other identifying features include a rounded leaf base, acorns with no stalks, and leaves with sharp teeth and no bristles.
You can find the Chinkapin Oak in areas such as the Appalachian Mountains. It is also found in the Great Smoky Mountains and parts of Michigan.
Other Common Names: Chinquapin
8. Scarlet Oak
Scarlet oaks (Quercus Coccinea) are the official tree of Washington D.C. It’s distinguishable due to its vibrant red leaves during the fall. However, the tree sprouts rich green leaves during the rest of the year.
Generally confused for the Pin Oak, Black Oak, and Red Oak, the Scarlet Oak has sinuses with a c-shape. Additionally, Scarlet Oaks mainly grow in drier areas that have poor soils.
You can find the Scarlet Oak in Southwestern Maine, New York, Ohio, Southern Michigan, and Indiana. It’s native to America and has been known to trace back to Maine, Florida, and Missouri.
Other Common Names: None
9. Chestnut Oak
Chestnut oaks (Quercus Montana) is a species of the White Oak family. It’s distinctively large and can grow up to 80 feet tall. They’re one of the slowest-growing oaks but have a long lifespan, often up to 400 years.
The Chestnut Oak is known for its deeply-lobed leaves that are a deep green. The lobes on the leaves have bristle-tipped teeth. The tree’s acorns are a quarter of an inch long with deep cups.
The Chestnut Oak is found in the Appalachian Mountains from Pennsylvania to Georgia. They’re also found in the Ozark Plateau and some parts of Michigan.
Other Common Names: Rock Oak
10. Live Oak
Live oaks (Quercus Virginiana) are one of the most widely-known oaks. They’re an evergreen oak easily recognizable by their large size and spreading branches. It’s the state tree of Georgia.
The Live Oak is a large tree that can grow up to 80 feet tall. It has dark green leaves that are leathery and lanceolate. The tree’s acorns are a quarter of an inch long with deep cups.
The Live Oak is found in the southeastern United States, from Virginia to Florida and Texas.
Other Common Names: Bay Live Oak, Scrub Live Oak, Plateau Oak, Plateau Live Oak, Escarpment Live Oak, Roble, and Virginia Live Oak
Oak Trees FAQs
What kind of oak trees are native to Michigan?
The most common oak trees native to Michigan include the White Oak, the Chinkapin Oak, the Scarlet Oak, and the Chestnut Oak. However, there are a total of 14 oak trees in Michigan.
What are the three different types of live oaks?
The three different types of live oaks are the American live oak, the southern live oak, and the myrtle oak. Michigan has all three of these varieties.
Can live oak trees survive in Michigan?
Yes, live oak trees can survive in Michigan. They are typically found in dry, upland areas and can also be used as ornamental trees in parks and yards. However, they need to be watered regularly and given plenty of sunlight.
What is Killing the Oak trees in Michigan?
According to the Department of Natural Resources Forest Health Division in Michigan, Oak Wilt is the most significant cause of oak trees dying. Oak Wilt is a disease that affects the tree’s vascular system, preventing water and nutrients from being transported throughout the tree.
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