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Plant Identification: SOLVED: Type of OAK? Are any of these poison oak?.

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    Communities > Forums > Plant Identification
    Forum: Plant IdentificationReplies: 9, Views: 87
    AuthorContent
    RESORT2ME
    BATTLEBORO, NC

    January 26, 2013 7:43 PM

    Post #9398679

    Around the back yard there are oaks 2 to 4' tall.

    I don't know what type of oak they are.
    I want to relocate or do away with them.

    If an oak is left to grow big, which type oak would you prefer?

    Do any of these appear to be poison oak? So far I've avoided them.

    Thumbnail by RESORT2ME   Thumbnail by RESORT2ME   Thumbnail by RESORT2ME   Thumbnail by RESORT2ME
    Click an image for an enlarged view.

    sallyg

    sallyg
    Anne Arundel,, MD (Zone 7a)

    January 26, 2013 7:53 PM

    Post #9398686

    none are poison oak.
    AmanitaM
    Portland
    United States

    January 26, 2013 8:51 PM

    Post #9398735

    Check the oak trees near where you live. A squirrel or jay probably planted one of its acorns in your yard.

    ViburnumValley

    ViburnumValley
    Scott County, KY (Zone 5b)

    January 27, 2013 11:19 AM

    Post #9399161

    Those are definitely seedlings of some sort of Oak (Quercus sp.), not related to any Rhus sp. from which you'd get a rash.

    It appears that the persistent marcescent leaves have bristle tips on the lobes, pointing to affinity with the Red Oak group of oaks - rather than the White Oak group which lack bristle tips on leaf lobes.

    There are many species of oaks in the Red Oak group native to coastal and Piedmont North Carolina (you even live near Red Oak, NC).

    Among these are:

    Quercus coccinea (Scarlet Oak)
    Quercus falcata (Southern Red Oak, Spanish Oak)
    Quercus hemisphaerica (Sand Laurel Oak, Darlington Oak)
    Quercus imbricaria (Shingle Oak)
    Quercus incana (Bluejack Oak)
    Quercus laevis (Turkey Oak)
    Quercus laurifolia (Laurel Oak)
    Quercus marilandica var. marilandica (Blackjack Oak)
    Quercus nigra (Water Oak)
    Quercus pagoda (Cherrybark Oak)
    Quercus palustris (Pin Oak)
    Quercus phellos (Willow Oak)
    Quercus rubra var. ambigua (Northern Red Oak)
    Quercus rubra var. rubra (Northern Red Oak)
    Quercus shumardii (Shumard Oak)
    Quercus velutina (Black Oak)

    That list should give you some plants to look through.
    Diana_K
    Contra Costa County, CA (Zone 9b)

    January 27, 2013 7:25 PM

    Post #9399556

    To choose a tree of any sort, not just an oak ask yourself a few questions:

    How tall will it ultimately grow: Are there overhead power lines? Will it block a nice view?
    Which way does the shadow fall? Is shade in that area OK?
    How wide will it ultimately grow: The trunk needs room to grow a large diameter, the roots need room to spread, and the canopy will spread. If it overhangs the house there is the threat of a limb breaking and falling on the house. If the trunk and roots are too close to pavement or building they will ultimately grow into that structure or lift the pavement.

    Is the leaf fall OK? Will you clean it up? Let it lie? Turn it into compost?

    Most lawns require something close to full sun so a lawn is impossible under a wide spreading, dense tree unless you can prune it (or have it professionally pruned) to keep it thin enough.

    If your space cannot handle a large tree, then assess just what size tree will work, and research the trees that stay within that acceptable size range. Do not get a too-big tree saying 'Well, I can prune it'.

    Specifically about Oaks:
    Even the smallest, I would keep at least 10' away from house and pavement, and 20' is better for most smaller species (Oaks are not really small). Even farther for the largest ones. Many are not trees for a small yard at all.

    Many Oaks are OK in a lawn, usually in an area that is cut out as a planter area, but can be surrounded by lawn. Not lawn right up to the trunk. Just make sure you are not watering the lawn too frequently (which is bad for the lawn, anyway). But remember that as they grow the oak will increasingly shade the lawn.

    To ID Poison Oak, google pictures of Rhus diversiloba.
    RESORT2ME
    BATTLEBORO, NC

    January 27, 2013 8:45 PM

    Post #9399632

    No overhead power lines. My biggest concern is topling by hurricane winds. We lost the last house (Yorktown, VA) to a hugh oak.

    There's plenty of room out back, but shade will eventually mess over the beds of shrubs.

    How far from septic field should I stay?

    Yes, leaf cleanup would go to compost and mulch.

    Thanks for your insight.

    RESORT2ME
    BATTLEBORO, NC

    January 31, 2013 6:33 PM

    Post #9404275

    I just ran across a photo I forgot I had taken the last of April. Much easier to see the leaf pattern.

    Do you still think it is red oak?

    Thumbnail by RESORT2ME
    Click the image for an enlarged view.

    ViburnumValley

    ViburnumValley
    Scott County, KY (Zone 5b)

    January 31, 2013 9:10 PM

    Post #9404444

    Yes.

    The bristle tips on the lobes are still quite evident. It is likely one of the species on the list provided above - and even more likely to have grown from an acorn from a nearby tree.

    Name those, and you'll have your ID choices.
    RESORT2ME
    BATTLEBORO, NC

    February 1, 2013 11:53 PM

    Post #9405595

    Those bristle tips sure are evident in this last photo. Never noticed before you pointed it out.
    Thanks to all of you for sharing.

    ViburnumValley

    ViburnumValley
    Scott County, KY (Zone 5b)

    February 2, 2013 6:52 AM

    Post #9405798

    Happy to help.

    It is a great feature to start separating what is a lot of different choices in IDing oaks.

    You cannot post until you register and login.


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