General:
This small, scrubby
deciduous oak may grow up to 10 m. (30 ft.) tall with rounded lobed
leaves. It is an understory tree usually found in the company of
Turkey Oaks, Q. laevis. Note that it is a different species from
Post Oak, Q. stellata.
The wood is useful as fence posts and firewood, but little else.
Acorns provide food for wildlife, but are of little value to humans
because of the bitter taste. It is a member of the red oak group,
and is thought to hybridize with the Sand Live Oak.
Flowers / Fruit:
Flowers are inconspicuous; staminate flowers are arranged in catkins.
The oblong acorns are about 1.5-2 cm. (3/8-5/8 in.) long with cups that
enclose about 1/3 of the nut. They take 2 years to mature.
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Leaves / Stems:
Alternate, simple leaves have margins with 3 to 5 conspicuous lobes,
usually rounded. Leaves to 15 cm long and up to 12 cm wide.
It is distinguished from the Post Oak, Q. stellata, which has a larger
leaf with more squared lobes and often is in the shape of a
cross.
The reddish brown to gray bark has ridges and fissures.
Distribution:
Found on deep sand ridges throughout the panhandle, east and south to
the central peninsula. It grows along the Coastal Plain from
Florida to Alabama and Virginia.
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