White Oak Types

Bur Oak and Post Oak

• Bur Oak, commonly referred to by scientists as Quercus Macrocarpa and also referred to as mossy-overcup oak, scrub oak or blue oak, has the largest acorns of all of the white oak trees. This oak is highly resistant to drought and commonly grows on sandy plains and dry uplands. Its acorns are an important food source to wild animals. Post Oak scientifically known as Quercus Stellata, can also be referred to as iron oak. It is medium in size and typically grows on dry woodlands and sandy or rocky ridges and it is also considered resistant to drought. The wood of this oak is highly durable, especially when in contact with soil and it is commonly used for fence posts, which is where it gets its name.

Chinkapin Oak and Swamp White Oak

• Chinkapin Oak scientifically known as Quercus Muehlenbergii, which is also referred to as rock oak, yellow chestnut oak or yellow oak, commonly grows on upland slopes that are well-drained and on limestone outcrops in alkaline soils. It usually grows together with other hard woods and does not grow very big, which makes it a rare commercial commodity. The heavy wood is known for excellent fuel and the acorns are very sweet and eaten by different types of birds and animals. Swamp White Oak, Quercus Bicolar is a medium sized white oak tree and it commonly grows in mixed forests. It is typically found along stream edges and in swamps that are almost flooding, mainly in lowlands. It grows rapidly and lives for up to 350 years.

Chestnut Oak and Overcup Oak

• Chestnut Oak (Quercus Prinus) is also known as tanbark oak, rock chestnut oak or rock oak. It commonly grows on rocky ridges and dry infertile soils, though it grows best on well-drained, rich soils, especially along streams. It has sweet nuts that are eaten by wildlife though good acorn crops are very rare on this tree. Overcup Oak (Quercus Lyrata) is also referred to as water white oak, swamp post oak or swamp white oak. It can tolerate flooding, but does not grow well on flood plains that are poorly drained, as well as on swamplands. This tree can take up to 30 years to produce acorns.

Swamp chestnut Oak

• Swamp Chestnut Oak (Quercus Michauxii) can also be called basket oak or cow oak, since its wood is usually used to make baskets and because its acorns are mostly eaten by cows. It grows in loamy soils that are moist and wet in bottom-lands, along boarders and streams of swamps.