QUERCUS VELUTINA – Black Oak
The Black Oak tree is a tall growing deciduous shade tree that can be found in the Eastern United States.
[Elementary School students]
Did you know?
What food does the Black Oak tree produce?
* The Black Oak tree grows acorns, which are an important food source for wildlife, such as deer, squirrels, small rodents, turkeys, grouse, jays and other birds.
http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=d458
Can the wood from the tree be used for building?
* The wood from Black Oak trees is used for flooring in homes, building (train) boxcars and in making barrels (cooperage).
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=QUVE
What animals like this tree?
* Birds, butterflies and hummingbirds like this tree as a food source.
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=QUVE
Are the acorns edible?
* Acorns (nuts) are edible after tannins are leached or boiled out of them.
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=QUVE
Leaf
http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=39
[Middle School students]
Habitat (where it likes to live)
* Well drained soils in full sun
Location: Eastern North America (Zone 3 to 9)
http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=39
Requirements (what it needs to live)
* Water: Dry to medium
* Maintenance: Low
* Suggested Use: Shade Tree, Street Tree, Residential properties
Identification (what it looks like)
* One of the first trees to send out flowers in the spring
* Gray bark on younger trees and darker gray with furrows when older
* Twigs – Have a smell
[High School students]
Habit (how it grows)
* Height: 50 to 60 feet
* Spread: 50 to 60 feet
* Bloom Time: April to May
* Bloom Description: Yellow to green
* Fruit: Acorns
* Sun: Full sun
* Tolerate: Dry conditions
http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=d458
Tree
http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=39
Tree buds
http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=39
Acorns
http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=39
Bark
http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=39
Suggested Use (where to plant it):
* Street Tree – To provide shade for sidewalks and along the road
* Residential – Long lived shade tree
* Parks – Seth Hand Park
References:
- Missouri Botanic Garden – http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=d458
- VA Tech – http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=39
- Wildflower Center - https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=QUVE