| Common in upland forests, Southern Red Oak is one of the most familiar trees of the Piedmont and Coastal Plain of North Carolina. The leaves are very pale beneath. Sometimes called Spanish Oak, though this name makes little sense, since the species is not native to Spain or similar to any species found there. Person Co., NC 6/10/2009.
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| Durham, NC 8/3/2003.
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| Female flowers. Person Co., NC 6/10/2009.
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| Wake Co., NC 5/8/2012.
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| Wake Co., NC 5/8/2012.
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| Easily confused with the closely related Cherrybark Oak (Q. pagoda), which was formerly considered a variety of falcata, the leaves of S. Red Oak generally have rounded (U-shaped) bases, irregularly-shaped lobes, and long, thin, curving (falcate) tips. Those of Cherrybark Oak generally have V-shaped (cuneate) bases, uniformly-shaped lobes, and short, broad, uncurved tips.
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| The leaves are shiny dark green above, pale tan and densely tomentose beneath. Leaves grown in sun, such as the ones in these two photos, are much more distinctive than shade leaves, which are easily confused with those of other species.
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| Developing acorns. Orange Co., NC 10/15/06.
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| Mature acorns. Orange Co., NC 10/15/06.
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| Hybrids of different species in the red oak group are not too unusual. This is an apparent hybrid Q. falcata x Q. phellos. Mason Farm, Chapel Hill, NC 9/22/02. |
More information:
US Forest Service Silvics Manual
Virginia Tech Dendrology
Recommended Tree, Shrub, and Woody Vine Identification Guides
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