Black Oak

Black Oak

Quercus velutina

Fagaceae (Beech Family)

▲ mature tree

▲ ▼ leaves

▲ large, pointed, pubescent buds

▲ acorn, with slightly "shaggy" scales on edge of cap

▲ ▼ trunk and bark

Location on campus: on east side of parking lot just west of Hammons or Hutchens House

Quercus velutina: Black Oak

• leaves similar to Red Oak, but leaves are more yellow-green on the underside and have pubescence along veins; immature leaves pubescent on both surfaces; leaves often appear to hang more vertically on the tree than do red oak leaves
• stems stout, reddish brown; pubescent when young, then shiny-glabrous
• buds are 1/4-1/2" long; broadest at base, angled, with pointed tip, covered with tan-gray hairs on scales
• bark is dark brown to black and fissured on older trees-- darker with narrower fissures/ridges than red oak bark
• grows 30-80' tall in rounded to upright oval to irregular outline
• prefers dry, acid soils but will grow larger in more fertile soils, but good drainage is essential
• acorn is light brown enclosed 1/3 by cap with loose scales
• medium to fast growth rate
• native to Missouri (and Springfield)