Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Southern Red Oak (Quercus falcata)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Fagales>Fagaceae>Quercus falcata Michaux

Southern Red Oak (Quercus falcata)

Common in upland forests, Southern Red Oak is one of the most familiar trees of the Piedmont and Coastal Plain of North Carolina. The leaves are very pale beneath.

Sometimes called Spanish Oak, though this name makes little sense, since the species is not native to Spain or similar to any species found there.

Person Co., NC 6/10/2009.

Southern Red Oak (Quercus falcata)

Durham, NC 8/3/2003.

Southern Red Oak (Quercus falcata)

Female flowers.

Person Co., NC 6/10/2009.

Southern Red Oak (Quercus falcata)

Wake Co., NC 5/8/2012.

Southern Red Oak (Quercus falcata)

Wake Co., NC 5/8/2012.

Southern Red Oak (Quercus falcata)

Easily confused with the closely related Cherrybark Oak (Q. pagoda), which was formerly considered a variety of falcata, the leaves of S. Red Oak generally have rounded (U-shaped) bases, irregularly-shaped lobes, and long, thin, curving (falcate) tips. Those of Cherrybark Oak generally have V-shaped (cuneate) bases, uniformly-shaped lobes, and short, broad, uncurved tips.

Southern Red Oak (Quercus falcata)

The leaves are shiny dark green above, pale tan and densely tomentose beneath.

Leaves grown in sun, such as the ones in these two photos, are much more distinctive than shade leaves, which are easily confused with those of other species.

Southern Red Oak (Quercus falcata)

Developing acorns.

Orange Co., NC 10/15/06.

Southern Red Oak (Quercus falcata)

Mature acorns.

Orange Co., NC 10/15/06.

Southern Red Oak (Quercus falcata) bark

The bark is rough and dark gray-brown, most similar to that of Black Oak (Q. velutina).

Durham, NC 8/3/2003.

Southern Red Oak (Quercus falcata)

Hybrids of different species in the red oak group are not too unusual. This is an apparent hybrid Q. falcata x Q. phellos.

Mason Farm, Chapel Hill, NC 9/22/02.

More information:
US Forest Service Silvics Manual
Virginia Tech Dendrology

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