Native Plant Database

Header Photo: Mervin Wallace

Black Oak

Quercus velutina
Plant Type: Trees
Native Environment: Forest
Season of Interest: Mid (May - June), Late (July - frost), Winter (Nov - Mar)
Main Color: Green
Fall Color:

USDA PLANTS Range Map

At the range map link above, zoom in for county-level data

Sun Exposure 
Full Sun, Medium Sun/Average Shade
Soil
Moisture
Dry
Nature Attracting
Wildlife Benefit
Butterfly / Moth Host, Cover, Food/Birds, Food/Small Animals, Nesting
Animal
Resistance
Size

Height:

50 to
60
feet

Spread:

40 to
70
feet
Size
Height: 50 to
60
feet
Spread: 40 to
70
feet
Size
Height: 50 to
60
feet
Spread: 40 to
70
feet
Typical Landscape Use
Inner bark yields a yellow dye, it was harvested for export as quercitorn.
Establishment and Care Instructions
Tolerant of many soils, but especially tolerant of poor, dry sites. Prefers full sun. Mature trees may lose branches in wind storms.
Special Features
Interesting Bark
Special Usage
Salt Tolerant
Basic Description

The leaves on this oak are deeply lobed, shiny and pointed, with yellow, orange or red fall color. Bark is almost black on old trees with deep furrows. Tolerant of poor, dry sites. Red-banded hairstreak butterfly caterpillars feed on decaying sumac leaves and oak litter.

Oak species, as a group, serve as host plants for caterpillars of more than 500 different kinds of butterflies and moths. This is more than any other genus of tree. The caterpillars (larvae) feed on foliage, but without harming the trees. Oaks are vitally important in supporting nature’s web of life.

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Where Can I Find This Plant in Nature?

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