Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Blackjack Oak (Quercus marilandica)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Fagales>Fagaceae>Quercus marilandica Muenchhausen

Blackjack Oak (Quercus marilandica)

Uncommon small tree of uplands, most often growing on poor, dry sites. Intolerant of shade. The large, coarse leaves are club-shaped, thick, glossy above, and hairy below. Water Oak (Quercus nigra) also has club-shaped leaves, but is not otherwise similar - it's a large tree of wet areas, with much smaller, smooth leaves and less rough bark.

Blackjack Oak (Quercus marilandica) flowers

Like other oaks, the staminate (male) flowers are in drooping catkins.

Orange Co., NC 4/12/08.

Blackjack Oak (Quercus marilandica) flowers

Scotland Co., NC 4/20/05.

Blackjack Oak (Quercus marilandica)

Fall foliage is red to brown.

Durham, NC 11/18/06.

Blackjack Oak (Quercus marilandica) bark

Blackish, blocky bark of a large tree.

Blackjack Oak (Quercus marilandica) bark

Bark of a medium-sized tree.

Orange Co., NC 4/12/08.

Staminate flowers with Blackjack Oak tree in background.

Orange Co., NC 4/12/08.

Just emerging leaves.

Orange Co., NC 4/4/09.

More information:
Trees of Alabama and the Southeast
Virginia Tech Dendrology
Wetland Plants of the Carolinas

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