A medium oak with dark bark and yellow tones in wood.

Also called: Quercitron Oak, Yellow Oak (folk name; misleading)

Native status: Native to eastern US

§ Quick facts

SizeMature height 20–30 m (65–100 ft); trunk diameter 0.6–1.2 m
WeightN/A
Lifespan150–200 years
OrderFagales
FamilyFagaceae

§ Encyclopedia

Quercus velutina, the black oak, is a species of oak in the red oak group, native and widespread in eastern and central North America. It is sometimes called the eastern black oak.

Source: Wikipedia — Quercus velutina Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Tall tree with dark gray-to-black furrowed bark; alternate leaves with 7–9 deep bristle-tipped lobes; orange-brown acorn caps covering about half the nut.

Similar species. Northern Red Oak (smoother bark, leaves with shallower lobes). Scarlet Oak (deeper lobed leaves, paler acorn cup). Pin Oak (smaller acorns, drooping lower branches).

Voice. N/A

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. N/A — photosynthesis

Behavior. Important upland oak across the eastern US. Inner bark contains bright yellow pigment (quercitron) used historically as natural dye for fabric and leather — a significant 19th-century industry. Acorns mature in 2 years (red oak group); bitter from high tannin content. Hybridizes with several other red-group oaks (Northern Red, Scarlet, Pin), making field ID sometimes difficult.

§ Range

Eastern US

§ Habitat

Mature forests

§ Threats

Forest loss.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the black oak is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Support mature forest conservation.

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§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • USDA Plants Database
  • USDA Forest Service Silvics Manual
  • Native Plant Trust