14 Common Oak Trees In Ohio (All You Should Know)
Many beautiful oak trees grow naturally in Ohio or have been brought from other areas and settled in the state. These trees are not only beautiful, but they also play an important role in nature. In this article, we will explore 14 common oak trees in Ohio.
Ohio has a wide range of oak trees, from the northern parts near Lake Erie to the hilly regions of the Appalachian Plateau. Some of these trees have been around for a long time and are part of Ohio’s history, while others have only recently arrived and have become a part of the state’s natural environment.
We will learn about each oak tree species on our list and discover what makes them unique. The White Oak, for example, has strong trunks and can live for a very long time. The Scarlet Oak, for example, has leaves that turn bright red in the fall.
These trees add beauty and diversity to Ohio’s natural surroundings, so let’s take a closer look at each one.
1. Post Oak
- Common Name: Post Oak, Iron Oak
- Scientific Name: Quercus stellata
- Mature Height: 30–60′ (9–18 m)
- Native/Non-Native: Native to Southern US
- Flowers/Cones: Green acorn
- Uses: Important food source for wildlife; wood was used for fence posts
The Post Oak Tree is a medium-sized oak tree native to the southern United States, reaching its northern limit in Ohio.
This slow-growing, drought-resistant tree thrives in dry, rocky soils where other oaks cannot. It often appears scrubby due to nutrient-deficient soils, but its distinctive leaf form makes it easy to identify.
The leaves are lobed and have a peculiar shape that resembles a Maltese cross. They are dark green above and paler below. The bark is light grey and ridged.
The Post Oak produces acorns every year, but it has a bumper crop every 2-4 years. It is a major source of food for wildlife. This tree’s wood was used to make fence posts, which is why it’s also known as Iron Oak in some regions of the country.
This tree favors sandy, gravelly soils and can be found on slopes and ridges, in floodplains, near streams and rivers, and in the sun. It stands out for having thick, yellowish twigs and leaves with star-shaped hairs; the name Stellata refers to the star shape of the leaf hairs.
2. Black Oak
- Common Name: Black Oak
- Scientific Name: Quercus velutina
- Mature Height: 40-60 feet
- Native/Non-Native: Native
- Flowers/Cones: Light yellow catkins and green acorns
- Uses: Tanning animal skins with the bark
The Black Oak is a medium-sized tree that can reach heights of 60 feet. It is a red oak species and one of the approximately 90 oak species present in the United States.
The tree’s lower branches ascend before maturity and become horizontal at maturity, while the top branches ascend, giving the tree a broad, round crown.
Black Oak leaves are lobed, bright green above and yellowish-brown below, and 4-9 inches long.
When young, the bark is lustrous dark gray, but as it ages, it turns virtually black with deep reddish fractures. The Black Oak bears 1-3 inch long bright yellow catkins with many tiny flowers and green acorns that turn brown as trees grow.
The tree is endemic to North America and thrives on dry sandy soils and steep slopes with an abundance of sunlight. The Black Oak is very sensitive to oak wilt disease, and its nuts are bitter due to tannin. This tree’s bark also contains tannin, which was once used to tan animal hides.
The young leaves of the Black Oak unfurl in a stunning scarlet color in the spring before turning silvery and dark green. The tree produces abundant fruit only on rare occasions, making it a rare treat.
3. Shingle Oak
- Common Name: Shingle Oak
- Scientific Name: Quercus imbricaria
- Mature Height: 40-60 feet
- Flowers/Acorns: Small yellowish-green flower
- Uses: Making furniture, cabinets, and flooring
Shingle Oak, commonly known as Quercus imbricaria, is a medium-sized Beech family tree. It can reach 50-60 feet in height and has a single, straight trunk with wide-spreading branches and a circular crown.
This tree’s leaves are simple, oval to oblong, and 3-6 inches long with a pointed tip. They are joined alternately, with wavy or slightly curved under edges, no teeth, and a lustrous dark green above. Shingle Oak bark is brown to gray, becoming darker and more furrowed with age.
Shingle Oak produces green acorns that develop to brown and are 12 to 34 inches long. They are round and edible, growing alone or in pairs on a short stalk, and have a cap that covers the top third to half of the nut. The fruit matures throughout two seasons.
This tree grows best in damp soils and can be found near streams and rivers. It may also be cultivated in the sun and tolerates higher dry soils. Shingle Oak is native to North America’s central and eastern regions, and it flourishes along the Ohio River Valley.
Shingle Oak is a popular ornamental tree due to its enormous beautiful leaf and tolerance to a variety of soil conditions. It also acts as a windbreak by retaining its leaves throughout the winter. Shingle Oak wood is simple to split and was originally used to make roofing shingles, thus the name. It is presently marketed as Red Oak, and its acorns are a major source of food for birds such as Mallards and Wood Ducks.
4. White Oak
- Common Name: White Oak
- Scientific Name: Quercus alba
- Mature Height: 60-100 feet
- Native/Non-Native: Native
- Flowers/Acorns: Produces small greenish-yellow flowers in the spring; acorns develop and mature in the fall.
- Uses: Construction, furniture, flooring, and barrels.
Among all the oak trees in Ohio, the White Oak, Quercus alba, is the most majestic tree. This tree is endemic to North America and can reach heights of 60-100 feet, giving it a commanding presence in any woodland.
White oak has a single straight stem with gnarled limbs that twist and reach for the earth. It has a large and majestic crown with lobed leaves that are bright green on top and pale below. The leaves range in length from 4 to 8 inches and have 5 to 9 rounded lobes.
This tree’s bark is light gray and divided into reddish scales.
White Oak produces green catkins that are 1-3 inches tall and are made up of many tiny blooms that are 18 inches wide. Its fruit is a green acorn that develops to brown and is edible.
A cap that covers the upper portion of the nut shields the acorns, which range in length from 1 to 1.5 inches. These acorns, like all other acorns, must be cooked in numerous changes of water to remove the bitter and slightly harmful tannins before eating.
White oak is a valuable tree in the lumber industry. Its wood, among other things, is used to construct furniture, flooring, whiskey barrels, and crates. Many sorts of wildlife, including turkeys, squirrels, grouse, and deer, rely on it for food.
White oak is prone to oak wilt, which can lead to its demise over time. The white oak group can be treated for oak wilt, as opposed to the red oak group, which dies swiftly from the illness. In many aspects, the White Oak is a beautiful, valuable, and significant tree.
5. Red Oak
- Common Name: Red Oak
- Scientific Name: Quercus rubra
- Mature Height: 50-70 feet
- Native/Non-Native: Native
- Flowers/Cones: Green catkin flowers and green acorn fruit
Red Oak is a native North American tree with a straight trunk and a broad, circular crown that can grow to be 50 to 70 feet tall.
Its leaves are big and lobed, with numerous pointy points and fur tufts on the veins underneath. This tree is distinguished from other red oaks by its sinuses that only extend halfway to the midrib.
Red Oak bark is dark gray when young and light gray and heavily wrinkled as it ages. It produces green catkin flowers that range in size from 1 to 4 inches long and are made up of many smaller blossoms. Its fruit, a green acorn that matures to be approximately 12 to 1 inch long, becomes brown.
Red oak thrives in damp soil, although it may also thrive in dry soil and the sun. It is prevalent throughout North America and can live for 100 to 150 years.
Red Oak wood is a reddish-brown wood that is used for flooring, furniture, and a variety of other things. Unfortunately, animals and birds dislike the bitter nuts of the Red Oak.
It should be noted that Red Oak trees can succumb to oak wilt, which causes them to die shortly after infection.
6. Pin Oak
- Common Name: Pin Oak
- Scientific Name: Quercus palustris
- Mature Height: 50-70 feet (15-21 meters)
- Native/Non-Native: Native
- Flowers/Cones: Green-to-red catkin, 1-4 inches (2.5-10 cm) long
- Uses: Wildlife food source, landscaping, lumber
Pin Oak, formally known as Quercus palustris, is a medium-sized tree with drooping limbs and an uneven crown that can grow up to 50-70 feet tall.
It belongs to the Beech family (Fagaceae) and has lobed leaves that are 3-5 inches long, bright green on top and light green on the bottom, with tufts of hair along the midrib. Dark brown bark with shallow furrows and flat ridges.
Pin Oak is native to North America and can be found in moist soils, heavy clay, and poorly drained highland locations in the sun. It frequently grows in unpolluted stands, and wildlife eats the tree’s nuts.
It is crucial to note, however, that acorns contain tannic acid, which can be poisonous in excessive quantities. As a result, before eating nuts, they should be treated by boiling them in water multiple times.
Pin Oak blossoms are pollinated the first year, and their acorns develop the following fall. The tree also produces a lot of fruit every 4-6 years. The leaves of the Northern Pin Oak (Q. ellipsoidalis) of the upper Midwest are similar to those of the Pin Oak.
Unfortunately, Pin Oak is prone to oak wilt, a fungus that may wipe out entire stands of trees, and its lumber is not as valued as that of other Oak species. However, because of its stunning deep crimson to reddish-brown fall hue, it is frequently utilized in landscaping.
7. Bur Oak
- Common Name: Bur Oak
- Scientific Name: Quercus macrocarpa
- Mature Height: 50-80 feet
- Native/Non-Native: Native
- Flowers/Cones: Flowers (catkin) and fruit (acorn)
- Uses: Timber, shade tree, ornamental
You may be familiar with the Bur Oak if you reside in a region with towering trees and broad, circular crowns. This gigantic Beech tree can grow to reach up to 80 feet tall, making it the tallest eastern oak.
Bur Oak trees are distinguished by their thick, corky bark, which protects them from fires.
Bur Oak leaves are lobed and lustrous dark green. They range in length from 5 to 12 inches and have 7-9 spherical lobes, with the terminal lobe being the largest.
The tree’s flowers are green catkins that can grow up to 3 inches long. The tree’s fruit is green acorns that become brown when ripe. These acorns are tasty and popular with animals, especially Nut Weevil larvae.
Bur Oaks are endemic to North America and can be found throughout the continent, except for the far southeast.
They thrive in deep, rich soils and are drought and shade tolerant. The tree is prized for its timber and is frequently utilized as a shade tree or aesthetic plant.
8. English Oak
- Common Name: English Oak
- Scientific Name: Quercus robur
- Mature Height: 60-80 feet
- Native/Non-Native: Non-Native
- Flowers/Cones: Green acorn, turning brown when mature
- Uses: Building ships, paneling, planted in planting along streets
The English Oak is a medium-sized tree with a short, strong trunk and a broad, spherical crown. Its lobed, oblong leaves are dark green on top and lighter on the bottom, reaching 2-6 inches in length and with numerous shallow lobes.
The bark is dark gray with deep irregular furrows, and the tree bears green acorns that develop to brown. Each acorn is egg-shaped and 34-1 inch long, with a cluster of 1-5 acorns and a thin cap covering the upper third of the nut.
Since colonial times, this non-native species has been planted in North America, and its rapid growth, good form, and deep shade make it popular for parks, yards, and along streets.
The English Oak is a long-lived, cold-tolerant tree that is easy to transplant. It is also known as Pedunculate Oak because its acorns grow on long stalks or peduncles. Many bird and animal species eat and move acorns, allowing them to escape cultivation and grow in the wild.
The wood of the English Oak was used to make ships and paneling for prominent structures throughout Europe. Some trees in England are said to be over 1,000 years old.
This majestic symbol of strength and longevity is a cherished asset to any landscape, and its elegance and beauty make it a prized addition to any landscape. Although non-native, this is one of the oak trees in Ohio that can be seen everywhere.
9. Chestnut Oak
- Common Name: Chestnut Oak
- Scientific Name: Quercus montana
- Mature Height: 60-90 feet
- Native/Non-Native: Native
- Flowers/Cones: Male and female flowers bloom on the same tree
- Uses: Produces edible acorns, an important food crop to wildlife like turkeys and deer.
One of the medium-height to tall oak trees in Ohio, the Chestnut Oak, scientifically known as Quercus montana can reach heights of up to 90 feet. The trunk is straight, and the crown is big and open.
Its leaves are basic, measuring 4-8 inches long and 2-4 inches wide, and have an oval form. The leaves of the Chestnut Oak are big and coarsely serrated, with an uneven edge, and are bright yellow-green on top and paler and finely hairy on the underside.
The tree’s bark is pale to dark brown with small furrows.
The Chestnut Oak thrives on hillsides and mountainsides up to 4,000 feet in elevation, and it’s ideal for planting as a shade tree in dry rocky soils. It gets its common name from its resemblance to the leaves of a chestnut tree.
The tree yields green acorns that develop to brown and are delicious. It also produces a huge crop of acorns every four to seven years, which is a valuable food source for wildlife such as deer and turkeys.
The bark of the Chestnut Oak contains the most tannin of any oak, and its tannin is removed and utilized in leather tanning. White Oak is the name given to the tree’s strong, hefty, light brown wood.
This tree, which is native to the eastern United States north of central Mississippi, is 200-500 years old.
10. Scarlet Oak
- Common Name: Scarlet Oak
- Scientific Name: Quercus coccinea
- Mature Height: 60-70 feet
- Native/Non-Native: Native
- Flowers/Cones: Produces flowers in the spring and green acorns, turning brown when mature
- Uses: Planted in parks and yards and along streets for its form, shade, and brilliant fall color
The Scarlet Oak is one of the commonly seen native oak trees in Ohio that can reach heights of 60-70 feet. It belongs to the Beech family and is a medium-sized tree with a straight trunk and widely spread branches.
It has lobed leaves with 5-7 pointed lobes that are dark green and glossy above and yellowish below. It has scaly ridges and dark gray bark that darkens with age. It gets its name from the bright scarlet red color of its leaves in the fall.
In the spring, the Scarlet Oak produces flowers and green acorns that become brown when ripe and are edible. The acorns are egg-shaped and approximately 12-1 inch long, with a crown that covers the upper third to half of the nut.
They reach maturity in two seasons, and after high acorn crops, there are frequently three to four years with few or no acorns.
This tree grows well in well-drained soils and tolerates drought. Because of its great shade, form, and fall color, it is frequently planted in parks, yards, and along streets. It is not, however, as long-lived as many other oaks, and its lumber is not as desired as White Oak wood.
The Scarlet Oak grows throughout the state’s southeastern part, often among hills and ridges. It grows in eastern deciduous woodlands alongside numerous other oaks, including White Oak and Black Oak.
11. Chinquapin Oak
- Common Name: Chinquapin Oak
- Scientific Name: Quercus muehlenbergii
- Mature Height: 50-70 feet
- Native/Non-Native: Native
- Flowers/Cones: Produces green acorns that turn brown when mature
- Uses: The Chinquapin Oak provides shade and forms a valuable part of forest communities.
The Chinquapin Oak, also known as Yellow Oak or Chestnut Oak, is a medium-sized tree that can reach 70 feet in height and has a single straight trunk and a narrow, circular crown made up largely of short, thin twigs.
The Chinquapin Oak’s simple, 4-6 inches long, alternately attached leaves feature pointy tips and several straight parallel veins, each culminating in a curved, gritty tooth. The Chinquapin Oak’s bark is light gray to brown, with many long, narrow scales.
This oak yields green acorns that develop to brown, reaching 12 to 1 inch long. They have a short stalk with a cap that covers the upper portion of the nut. The Chinquapin Oak exhibits red or brown fall color as well. It is native to the United States and can be found throughout the country.
Because its leaves mimic those of the American Chestnut tree, the Chinquapin Oak is also known as the Chestnut Oak. The species was named for botanist Gotthilf Henry Ernst Muhlenberg, who lived from 1753 to 1815.
It grows in a variety of environments, including sandy soils, dry rocky outcroppings, and sunny locations. The Chinquapin Oak, a member of the white oak group, produces mature acorns in one season, as opposed to red oaks, which take two seasons.
12. Swamp White Oak
- Common Name: Swamp White Oak
- Scientific Name: Quercus bicolor
- Mature Height: 40-60 feet
- Native/Non-Native: Native
- Flowers/Cones: small greenish-yellow flowers in the spring; acorns develop and mature in the fall
- Uses: making furniture, cabinets, flooring, and barrels.
Another medium-sized variety among the oak trees in Ohio, the Swamp White Oak, scientifically known as Quercus bicolor, is a Beech tree that can grow to be 40-60 feet tall. It is an indigenous plant that has existed for 150-200 years.
Its leaves are lobed, 4-7 inches long, and have shallow lobes that seem like teeth at times. The leaves of the Swamp White Oak are dark green above and whiter below, with white hairs, and there is a clear distinction between the upper and below leaf surfaces.
The tree’s bark is light gray with many vertical furrows and wide flat ridges. During the blooming season, the Swamp White Oak produces slender catkins 1-4 inches long with hairy green flowers.
The tree contains a green acorn that becomes brown and is delicious when ripe. The acorns are 3/4-1 and 1/4-inch length and can be found in pairs. There is a knobby cap covering the top half of the nut.
Swamp White Oak thrives in moist soils in river bottoms and wetlands. It is a fast-growing tree that does well in landscaping.
Swamp White Oak wood is robust and sturdy, and it has been used to make furniture. Even though the tree has crooked lower branches that droop down and give it a chaotic appearance, it is highly valued for its beauty and usefulness.
13. Blackjack Oak
- Common Name: Blackjack Oak
- Scientific Name: Quercus marilandica
- Mature Height: 25-40 feet
- Native/Non-Native: Native
- Flowers/Cones: Green acorns turning brown when mature
- Uses: Railroad ties and firewood
One of the shortest oak trees in Ohio, the Blackjack Oak, is a small to medium-sized tree with a single straight trunk and many crooked spreading branches that can grow up to 40 feet tall.
The tree has a broad, uneven crown that casts a lot of shadows. The lobed leaves are 2-6 inches long, alternating, and have 3 to 5 broad, shallowly split lobes. Each lobe is bristly, and the surface of the leaves is lustrous, dark green above and dull green below, with brown hairs running down the veins.
The Blackjack Oak’s pitch-black bark is tough, thick, and severely furrowed into nearly square plates. The green acorns, which become brown when ripe, are edible and rectangular, measuring 12 to 34 inches long with a sturdy pointed tip.
The fruit grows single or in pairs on a very short stalk, and the cap covers the top half of the nut, maturing over two seasons.
The Blackjack Oak is found on upland ridges in direct sunshine and is native to dry, sandy, or clay soils. It is frequently linked with poor soils and can survive in dry, sandy, or gravelly soils where few other forest oaks can.
The species was named from the club-shaped leaves that were used to make playing cards. The leaves are coated with a waxy material that prevents water loss in hot, dry conditions.
It takes two years for the little acorns to mature, and fresh shoots sprout from burned or severed trunks. Because of its scrubby appearance, the wood is occasionally utilized for railroad ties and firewood, but the tree is normally left alone.
14. Shumard Oak
- Common Name: Shumard Oak
- Scientific Name: Quercus shumardii
- Mature Height: 60-90 feet (18-27.5 meters)
- Native/Non-Native: Native
- Flowers/Cones: Acorns
- Uses: Wood for flooring, veneers, and furniture
The Shumard Oak is a huge tree that has a single straight stem and a broad spherical crown. It can grow to be about 100 feet tall, making it one of North America’s tallest oaks.
The tree features green-lobed leaves with bristle-tipped teeth. In the fall, these leaves change from red to brown. The Shumard Oak’s bark is gray and furrowed, and it darkens with age.
When ripe, the Shumard Oak yields green acorns that are egg-shaped and turn brown. It takes them two years to grow, and they are edible.
The tree grows best on well-drained soils near rivers, streams, and marshes. It is a natural plant that can be found in isolated regions throughout the southeastern United States and western Ohio.
Shumard oak is suitable for wood flooring, veneers, and furniture. Red Oak is another name for its timber. It is commonly planted as an ornamental tree in the Deep South and is popular for landscaping.
The tree can hybridize with other oak species, especially Shingle Oak and Blackjack Oak, making differentiation difficult. It is a fast-growing tree that produces large acorns every 4-6 years and has spring blossoms.
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Common Oak Trees In Ohio – Sources
The Regional Gardening team makes sure that the information in our articles is accurate by only using sources that are known to be trustworthy. Some of these sources are peer-reviewed journals from government agencies, well-known universities, and scientific research organizations.
- Trees Of Ohio, Division Of Wildlife
- Trees Of Ohio Field Guide, Book by Stan Tekiela
- Ohio Trees, OSU Extension Publications
- Native Plant Lists, Ohio Department Of Natural Resources
- Ohio Department Of Agriculture
- Gardening, The Ohio State University
