| Scarlet Oak is a tree of dry, rocky soil renowned for its brilliant scarlet fall color. The small, deeply-sinused leaves are glossy and smooth on both top and bottom, unlike similar species. The sinuses are c-shaped, which helps you remember the specific epithet coccinea. Pilot Mountain, Surry Co., NC 6/14/09.
|
| The turbinate acorn cups (not shown) are distinctive. Shumard Oak (Q. shumardii) is similar, but grows in moist areas, has flat acorn cups, tan tufts of hairs on the leaf undersides, and leaves that turn brown-red in fall. Northern Red Oak (Q. rubra) has leaves that are less deeply lobed and less glossy and has flat acorn cups. Pilot Mountain, Surry Co., NC 6/14/09.
|
| Leaf undersides are paler green and shiny. Pilot Mountain, Surry Co., NC 6/14/09.
|
| The leaves are smooth and lustrous beneath, but may have small tufts of hairs in the vein axils. Theses hairs are much more prominent and tan colored in Shumard Oak. Pilot Mountain, Surry Co., NC 6/14/09.
|
