what oak is this?

rebocardo · November 07, 2003, 06:47:45 PM

I have tried to ID this oak tree. It is 50 inches dbh (actually it is 50 inches at the ground, 50 dbh, and 50 inches at its lowest branch). Its lowest branch is seven feet up and the tree is about 30-40 feet tall. It has 30+ foot long branches about 14-18 inches thick that look like trees growing from the trunk. It has small black acorns, most seem to drop without the caps. The leaves are grouped in clusters of about five at the end of branches, sort of like a laurel oak, though the leaves look sort of like a blue oak. I guess my Trees of North America book by Brockman could be more accurate or expansive, but, it does fit in my toolbox. :-) Tree is in GA if it matters.

Tom · November 07, 2003, 07:17:22 PM

That leaf looks like Water Oak to me.

Bro. Noble · November 08, 2003, 03:50:33 AM

If that tree were here in the Ozarks, I'd say it was one BIG Blackjack Oak.

Texas Ranger · November 08, 2003, 08:17:04 AM

Since your in Georgia, I agree with Tom. One of the typical southern oaks.

Bud Man · November 10, 2003, 02:02:47 AM

I too vote Water Oak !! A nice reference book to fit your area and your tool box Is: Guide To Southern Trees, by Harrah and Harrah--Paperback 5" x7" (700 + pages). I've put 40+ years and more than a few miles on mine. Cost $3.50 in 1963, might be a couple more bucks by now !

Texas Ranger · November 10, 2003, 07:53:42 AM

Budman, I have the hardback version, and you have not checked text book prices lately.

rebocardo · November 10, 2003, 09:05:58 AM

$10.47 for the paperback on www.amazon.com. Thanks!

DanG · November 10, 2003, 06:01:51 PM

Rebo, my Daughter has a tree like that in her yard. The bark is on the smooth side and is light grey. It is shaped like a big laurel oak, but the bark is wrong and the leaves are definitely water oakish. I had concluded that it must be just a VERY mature water oak. She is in Savannah, Ga.

rebocardo · November 12, 2003, 08:24:05 PM

If it had more length on the trunk I might be tempted to try growing one from the acorns. Going by these two trees it seems six feet is about the sweet spot for trunk length.

Maybe that is what is needed for an oak growing around "water"?. They do not list a water oak like this in my book, so I guess I need a new book.

I found its twin up the street, same type of tree only this one is only 36 dbh (actually 36 inches straight up from the ground to its lowest six foot branch). Needs to be cut down since the vines are starting to kill it and the branches are falling in the street, which is too bad since with care it probably would live to be 50 inches like the other.

Tom · November 13, 2003, 05:19:02 AM

Water oak has a life of about 60 years. Pretty short compared to most oaks. You can't tell the difference between the lumber from Water oak and Laurel oak once sawed. Water oak generally has more rot and beetle damage than Laurel oak which lives a little longer, 80 years or so.

Both trees are shallow rooted and blow over is common. The roots are only about a couple of feet deep and run wide around the tree. Water and Laurel oaks are a big, top-heavy tree sitting on a saucer of roots.

I saw a lot for back-yard cabinet makers. It is course wood but pretty.

Phorester · December 23, 2003, 07:22:42 PM

Yep, I'd vote for water oak, Quercus nigra. Should be pretty common in east Georgia. It likes bottomlands, but like most trees will grow on a variety of sites, just not as well as in its favorite soils.

etat · December 23, 2003, 09:07:27 PM

A big ole water oak in a yard around here will drop a LOT of dead limbs along. You have to keep your yard cleaned up. There's some kind of big black ant that likes to get in the old trees around here. They make real nice yard trees for a long time though. But if you let em get too big it costs a lot of money to get someone to top them. As said, it just seems eventually they get old and play out.

rebocardo · December 25, 2003, 03:31:59 PM

I just cut down a water oak that was dropping huge branches, especially into the steet where it is dangerous. It only had about six feet of good trunk, though 36 inches wide.

It split in 1/2 when the tree hit the ground, the limbs (18 inches) acting like big levels, splitting it where it was rotted right down the whole length of the good trunk (bole?). WHAAAA! There goes my rounds, now all I have is 1/2 rounds with one round slab only four inches thick.

Sure looks pretty though, about 6 different brown colors around the trunk. Wonder what it will look like dried.