NAME:
COMMON – Black Oak
BOTANICAL – Quercus velutina
FAMILY – Fagaceae

DERIVATION:
Native deciduous tree in the red oak group in the beech (Fagaceae) family found growing in eastern and central USA from Maine to Michigan south to Florida to Texas

GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS:
50-80 feet tall in the north and even taller in the southern ranges.

LOCATION:
Grows best in full sun and prefers moist slightly acidic well-drained fertile soil. However, it is adaptable to soil types including deep loam, clay, rocky material or sand in moist to dry conditions. It is drought and poor soils tolerant.

ATTRIBUTES, VALUE, UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS:
The common name comes from the bark color. The black oak is sometimes confused with the red oak and hybridization can occur between the two. Has a high-value wildlife rating and supports butterflies and moths, birds and mammals. It can live up to 200 years of age.

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