Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra) [ Trees > Hardwoods > Oaks . . . ] Forest Type: Oak-Hickory
by Michael Kuo Note: The red oaks (those with bristle-tipped leaves) of eastern North America are notoriously difficult to separate--a task compounded by the fact that the trees often hybridize in nature. Habitat: Able to grow in dry or moist soil; often in mixed stands; east of the Great Plains. Stature: 60-100 feet high (or larger); to 4 feet in diameter; with a broad, rounded crown. Leaves: With bristle tips; 5-9 inches long; with 7-11 lobes; sinuses extending about halfway to the midrib; often dull (not shiny) on the upper surface; dark green above; lighter green and smooth (except for a few hairs near the ribs) below. Bark: Dark gray to black; thick; often furrowed and with wide, flat, paler ridges in age; from a distance often appearing striped. Acorns: Bitter; to 1 inch long; enclosed at the base, or to 1/3 of the length, in a shallow cup with pressed-down scales (the tips of the scales are not "free"); appearing every two years. Buds: About 1/3 inch long; smooth and shiny, or with a few small hairs near the scales; reddish brown. Frequent Mushroom Associates: Cortinarius torvus; Inonotus dryadeus; Laetiporus cincinnatus; Leccinum albellum; Leccinum subglabripes; R. tenuiceps; and many others. |
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Cite this page as: Kuo, M. (2005, September). Northern red oak (Quercus rubra). Retrieved from the MushroomExpert.Com Web site: http://www.mushroomexpert.com/trees/quercus_rubra.html |