quercus velutina - Black Oak
This tree grows from 50-80 feet tall, and is 3 to 4 feet in diameter. The leaves are from 4 to 9 inches with 7 to 9 lobes. The leaves are moderately lobed, usually with brown hairs underneath. The leaves are shiny green above and ending with bristle-tipped teeth. The bark is gray and smooth on young trees, becoming blackish, thick, rough, and deeply furrowed. The acorns are 5/8" to 3/4" long, elliptical, and half-enclosed by a deep, thick cup that is finely hairy. The edge of the cup is rough with fringe-like scales. The end buds are 1/4" to 1/2" long, densely gray hairy, and sharply angled.
The inner bark is easily distinguished by the yellow or orange color that was formerly used as a source for tannin, medicine, and a yellow dye for cloth. Peeled bark was dried, pounded to a powder, and the dye sifted out. The Black Oak is a poisonous tree.
This tree is found in dry upland sandy and rocky ridges and slopes. It is also found on clay hillsides, sometimes in pure stands.
The inner bark is easily distinguished by the yellow or orange color that was formerly used as a source for tannin, medicine, and a yellow dye for cloth. Peeled bark was dried, pounded to a powder, and the dye sifted out. The Black Oak is a poisonous tree.
This tree is found in dry upland sandy and rocky ridges and slopes. It is also found on clay hillsides, sometimes in pure stands.