Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Cherrybark Oak (Quercus pagoda)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Fagales>Fagaceae>Quercus pagoda Raf.

Cherrybark Oak (Quercus pagoda)

Cherrybark Oak is fairly common large tree of bottomland forests, similar to the upland Southern Red Oak (Q. falcata), of which it was formerly considered a variety (pagodifolia).

The name pagoda refers to the regularly tiered shape of the leaves, reminiscent of the shape of a pagoda.

Durham Co., NC 9/6/08.

Cherrybark Oak (Quercus pagoda)

Durham Co., NC 10/16/2008.

Cherrybark Oak (Quercus pagoda)

Durham Co., NC 10/16/2008.

Cherrybark Oak (Quercus pagoda)

The leaves of Cherrybark Oak generally have V-shaped (cuneate) bases, uniformly-shaped lobes, and short, broad, uncurved tips. Those of Southern Red Oak generally have rounded (U-shaped) bases, irregularly-shaped lobes, and long, thin, curving (falcate) tips.

Durham Co., NC 5/3/08.

Cherrybark Oak (Quercus pagoda)
Cherrybark Oak (Quercus pagoda)

Shade leaves are blockier, more variable, and more difficult to tell apart from Southern Red Oak or Black Oak (Q. velutina).

Cherrybark Oak (Quercus pagoda)

Bark of a medium-sized tree. The bark tends to be less rough than that of S. Red Oak and slightly resembles that of Black Cherry - it starts off smooth, then breaks into scaly ridges.

Falls Lake, Granville Co., NC 4/27/03.

Cherrybark Oak (Quercus pagoda)

Bark of a large tree.

Durham Co., NC 12/4/05.

Cherrybark Oak (Quercus pagoda)

Shape of the same large tree.

Durham Co., NC 12/4/05.

Cherrybark Oak (Quercus pagoda) bark

Durham Co., NC 5/23/2012.

Cherrybark Oak (Quercus pagoda) bark

Durham Co., NC 5/23/2012.

Cherrybark Oak (Quercus pagoda) bark

Bark of a large tree.

Granville Co., NC 5/1/2011.

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

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