Bluff Oak, also known as Bastard White Oak, is a rare large overstory tree that grows along bluffs, riverbanks, and in hammocks, usually in areas with basic or circumneutral soil, in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain of North Carolina. It is endemic to the southeastern US, occuring from Mississippi and Florida to NC. Similar to White Oak (Quercus alba), but the leaves have fewer and shallower lobes. The acorns have flat scales, so lack the knobbly appearance of White Oak acorns.

Newly emerged leaves. Saplings tend to leaf out earlier than mature trees.

Uwharrie River slopes, Montgomery Co., NC 4/17/2011.

Uwharrie River slopes, Montgomery Co., NC 4/17/2011.

Uwharrie River slopes, Montgomery Co., NC 4/17/2011.

Bluff Oak is deciduous, but this mature leaf on a sapling survived the winter.

Uwharrie River slopes, Montgomery Co., NC 4/17/2011.

Uwharrie River slopes, Montgomery Co., NC 4/17/2011.

Uwharrie River slopes, Montgomery Co., NC 4/17/2011.

Flowers emerge in mid-spring, with leafout.

Uwharrie River slopes, Montgomery Co., NC 4/17/2011.

Newly emerged leaves.

Uwharrie River slopes, Montgomery Co., NC 4/17/2011.

Bark of a large tree.

Bark is similar to that of White Oak, but less scaly.

Uwharrie River slopes, Montgomery Co., NC 4/17/2011.