Black Oak

I've only seen it growing wild in acid, sandy or other dry soils in northwest Indiana and in the serpentine barrens of southeast PA. I'v...Read Moree seen a few specimens growing at Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL. Handsome forest tree. It grows fast, about 2 ft/yr, but develops a taproot so regular nurseries don't grow it, especially for B&B. Native nurseries will sell it in containers.

The native range includes most of the East coast and in Florida, it can be found sporadically across the northern tier (of course) and al...Read Moreso has been found in Seminole county, near Orlando.

Nice fall color, spreading growth shape to 50 - 80 feet.

One source shows the acorns of the velutina being poisonous to some animals.

As mentioned the bark is unique and used to be used to make dye.

One of the large, impressive oaks that fill our woods and roadsides here in West KY. They can get as tall as 100 feet and have a diameter...Read More of 5 feet at their biggest.

It is similar to the Northern Red Oak, but the Black Oak has lobes that are not as indented and the Northern Red Oak has more lobes.

The trunk is dark and tends to have a flat tone as opposed to shiny ridges of other oaks.A unique characteristic is that the inner bark has an orange look to it. It prefers well drained soil and will do well in drier locations.

Used for hardwood production, furniture and flooring.