Turkey Oak (Quercus laevis)

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Turkey Oak (Quercus laevis) leaf

Turkey Oak is a common oak of dry, sandy areas in the Coastal Plain in North Carolina, particularly abundant in the Sandhills region.

Bladen Co., NC 10/19/2008.

Turkey Oak (Quercus laevis) leaves

Bladen Co., NC 10/19/2008.

Turkey Oak (Quercus laevis) leaves

Columbus Co., NC 9/29/2013.

Turkey Oak (Quercus laevis) leaves

One unique feature of the leaves is their arrangement — they are held vertically instead of horizontally, presumably to avoid the sun during mid-day and receive more solar radiation when the heat load is not as high.

Bladen Co., NC 10/19/2008.

Turkey Oak (Quercus laevis) sand

This sapling at Carolina Beach State Park is growing in pure sand.

New Hanover Co., NC 8/29/09.

Turkey Oak (Quercus laevis) leaves

This small oak is adapted to xeric sandy soils and usually grows in the understory of Longleaf Pine forests.

Robeson Co., NC 5/29/08.

Turkey Oak (Quercus laevis) leaves

The other oaks associated with this habitat are Quercus margaretta, Quercus marilandica, and Quercus incana, none of which is similar in leaf.

Moore Co., NC 6/10/06.

Turkey Oak (Quercus laevis) leaves

The leaves are yellowish-pubescent beneath. Despite the name laevis, they are not smooth, though the pubescence may wear off by late in the growing season.

The common name comes from the resemblance of the leaf shape to the outline of a Wild Turkey's foot. Fall color is brilliant red, about like that of Scarlet Oak.

Turkey Oak is endemic to the southeastern US, growing from southeastern Virginia to eastern Louisiana.

Moore Co., NC 6/10/06.

Turkey Oak (Quercus laevis) catkins

Turkey Oak flowers in mid-April, as the leaves are emerging.

Scotland Co., NC 4/18/10.

Turkey Oak (Quercus laevis) flowers

Catkins (male flowers).

Pender Co., NC 4/19/09.

Turkey Oak (Quercus laevis) leaves

Emerging leaves showing the turkey-foot shape the tree is named for. Mid-April is also turkey hunting season in the Coastal Plain.

Pender Co., NC 4/19/09.

Turkey Oak (Quercus laevis) leaves

Pender Co., NC 4/19/09.

Turkey Oak (Quercus laevis)

New Hanover Co., NC 8/29/09.

Turkey Oak (Quercus laevis)

New Hanover Co., NC 8/29/09.

Turkey Oak (Quercus laevis)

New Hanover Co., NC 8/29/09.

Turkey Oak (Quercus laevis) acorn

New Hanover Co., NC 8/29/09.

Turkey Oak (Quercus laevis) acorn

Acorns ripen in late summer/early fall.

New Hanover Co., NC 8/30/08.

Turkey Oak (Quercus laevis) acorn

New Hanover Co., NC 8/30/08.

Turkey Oak (Quercus laevis) acorn

New Hanover Co., NC 8/30/08.

Turkey Oak (Quercus laevis) acorns

Acorns resting on dead leaves.

Moore Co., NC 3/14/07.

Turkey Oak (Quercus laevis) bark

The bark is broken into rough blocks, good for resisting the frequent fires that sweep through Turkey Oak habitat.

Weymouth Woods, Moore Co., NC 6/10/06.

Turkey Oak (Quercus laevis) bark

Bark of a medium-sized tree.

Pender Co., NC 4/19/09.

Turkey Oak (Quercus laevis) bark

Columbus Co., NC 9/29/2013.

Turkey Oak (Quercus laevis)

Bladen Co., NC 10/19/2008.

Turkey Oak (Quercus laevis) bark

Bladen Co., NC 10/19/2008.

Turkey Oak (Quercus laevis) bark

Bladen Co., NC 10/19/2008.

Turkey Oak (Quercus laevis) tree

Large tree with humans for scale.

Bladen Co., NC 10/19/2008.