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.