13 Common Oak Trees In Utah (Native & Non-Native Varieties)
The oak is one of the most common majestic tree species found throughout the Northern Hemisphere. The genus contains approximately 200 to 300 different varieties, with 60 to 70 trees indigenous to the United States alone.
Although oaks are commonly associated with large trees, there are over ten varieties that are classified as shrubs. Only three of the 70 native oak trees in the United States are native to Utah. However, more than ten species are very common.
In this article, I will walk you through the 13 most common oak trees in Utah. Each tree has high-quality images and detailed descriptions to help you understand the tree and its characteristics.
So, let’s get started.
1. Scrub Oak
- Common Name: Scrub Oak
- Scientific Name: Quercus gambelii
- Mature Height: Up to 60 feet
- Native: Native to most of the foothills of Utah and throughout the Intermountain West and the southern and central Rockies
- Flowers/Cones: Produces acorns
- Uses: Firewood, landscape tree
Scrub Oak, scientifically known as Quercus gambelii, is one of the most commonly found native oak trees in Utah, along the Intermountain West, and the southern and central Rockies. It may grow up to 60 feet tall and is typically found growing in bunches to produce dense stands with open spaces.
Scrub Oak leaves are oblong to obovate in form and range in length from 2-1/2 to 7 inches. The upper surface is dark green and smooth, while the bottom is light and covered in fine hair. The leaves transition from orange-yellow to brown in the fall, bringing a splash of color to the environment.
The twigs of the plant are robust and orange-red, with a hairy texture. Terminal buds are crowded and blunt at the tips of the twigs, whereas lateral buds are smaller. The buds are a dark brown color.
Acorns are the fruit of the Scrub Oak. The acorns are 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch long and have a short or no stalk. They are brown and partially encased by a warty, hairy cap. Acorns mature in a single season.
Scrub Oak is not highly valued for its timber, although it is frequently used as firewood. The wood resembles that of the bur oak. Scrub Oak is also a popular landscape tree due to its clumpy growth habit, intriguing leaves and fruit, and good to fair fall color. However, Scrub Oak is prone to fire in its natural environment, therefore it should be pruned around structures to reduce fuel.
2. Shrub Live Oak
- Common Name: Shrub Live Oak
- Scientific Name: Quercus turbinella
- Mature Height: Up to 8 feet tall
- Native: Native to southwestern Utah
- Flowers/Cones: Produces acorns as fruits
- Uses: Unimportant and little known or used; not commonly planted
One of the least known oak trees in Utah, the Shrub Live Oak, is a tiny evergreen tree found in southern Utah’s low canyons. It is a native species, which means it grows natively in that area. The leaves of the plant are blue-green and whitish-waxy in hue. The leaves are oval with pointed ends and are ovate. Like tiny holly leaves, they feature a wavy edge with sharp, spiny teeth.
Shrub Live Oak has slender brown twigs with little clustered buds at the tips. This plant’s flowers are not particularly prominent, but it produces acorns as fruits. The acorns are short-stalked or stalkless, approximately 1/2″ in size, and light brown, with a warty cap enclosing about half of the fruit.
It is a clumpy and shrubby plant that typically reaches a height of up to 8 feet. It prefers a warm climate and can tolerate some drought, but it is not tolerant of shade.
The Shrub Live Oak is rarely planted in landscaped areas, but it may be found in some developed areas. This plant is low-maintenance and requires little water or care. It is suitable for zones 7 to 9, but there have been reports of one growing successfully in Provo on the east side of a building.
3. Bur Oak
- Common Name: Bur Oak
- Scientific Name: Quercus macrocarpa
- Mature Height: Fairly large tree
- Native: Native to the Great Plains and Midwest
- Flowers/Cones: Produces acorns
- Uses: Used for lumber, furniture, barrels, etc.
Despite being a nonnative variety, bur oaks are one of the most frequently found oak trees in Utah. The tree, also known as the Mossycup Oak, is native to the Great Plains and Midwest regions of the United States.
It is a fairly large tree that can reach heights of up to 100 feet. The leaves of the Bur Oak are oblong to obovate and can grow to be 6 to 10 inches long and 3 to 5 inches wide. They have a dark green color on top and are pale and hairy underneath.
The Bur Oak’s bark is thick, gray-brown, and deeply furrowed and ridged; its wood is highly valuable and used for lumber, furniture, and barrels; and the tree produces acorns that are approximately 1 inch long and surrounded by a fringed cap.
The Bur Oak is a flexible tree that can grow in several habitats, including dry upland areas, lower wetter locations, thick forests, and scattered trees on the edges of prairies. It has a high tolerance for drought and is long-lived.
The Bur Oak is one of the best-introduced trees for planting in Utah because it adapts well to the state’s high soil pH, drought, heat, cold, and winds. It grows at a medium rate and has a broad crown and beautiful dark green leaves. It is also pest resistant. This tree is becoming more widely available in nurseries, making it a great choice for landscaping.
4. White Oak
- Common Name: White Oak
- Scientific Name: Quercus alba
- Mature Height: Can grow fairly large
- Native: Native throughout the eastern half of the U.S.
- Flowers/Cones: Produces acorns as fruits
- Uses: Wood is used for lumber, furniture, floors, and barrels
White oak is a type of tree found in the eastern half of the United States. It is also among the native oak trees in Utah.
It can grow to be quite tall and has leaves that are oblong to obovate, bright green on top, and paler beneath. The leaves turn brown to deep red during the fall season.
The White Oak’s twigs are purple-gray to green-red and lack corky ridges. The twig buds are round to oval and can be red-brown. The White Oak produces acorns as its fruits, which are about half an inch to three-quarters of an inch long and covered by a cap with warty scales.
The bark of the White Oak is light ash-gray. Young to medium-sized trees have chunky, vertical blocks of bark, whereas older trees have scaly plates attached to one side. The wood of the White Oak is very important and has many uses. The sapwood is white to light brown, while the heartwood is gray-brown.
White oak is a great landscaping tree that can be planted in most of Utah. It can tolerate moderately high soil pH, heat, and cold, grows at a medium rate, and has a nice, wide crown that provides dense shade. The tree is relatively free of problems and should be planted more frequently in Utah landscapes.
5. Northern Red Oak
- Common Name: Northern Red Oak
- Scientific Name: Quercus rubra
- Mature Height: Can grow up to 80 feet tall
- Native: Native to most of the eastern United States
- Flowers/Cones: Produces acorns as its fruit
- Uses: Wood from this tree is used for flooring, cabinets, and furniture
When mature, the Northern Red Oak, also known as Quercus rubra, can grow up to 80 feet tall. Its leaves are oblong to obovate, measuring 5 to 8 inches long and 4 to 5 inches wide, with coarse-serrate, pointed lobes on the margin, and are dark green and shiny on the top surface. In the fall, they turn a deep red to red-orange color, adding a vibrant touch to the landscape.
Northern Red Oak twigs are moderately stout and can range in color from red-brown to green-brown. The tree produces acorns, which are 1 inch long and red-brown. The inner surface of the nutshell is woolly, and the cap is shallow and saucer-shaped, usually covering only the base of the nut.
The bark of the Northern Red Oak is smooth on young stems and eventually turns brown to nearly black as the tree ages. The older bark develops shallow furrows and wide, flat-topped ridges. The wood of the Northern Red Oak is highly valued and used for flooring, cabinets, and furniture. The sapwood is white to pale red-brown, while the heartwood is pink to light red-brown.
The Northern Red Oak is a native tree in the eastern United States that prefers to grow in good soil conditions. It is also a good choice for planting in Utah because it is more tolerant of high soil pH and less likely to have iron chlorosis than other oak varieties. This tree has a large, broad crown and a nice branch structure. It grows at a medium rate and has stunning red fall color.
6. English Oak
- Common Name: English Oak
- Scientific Name: Quercus robur
- Mature Height: Unknown
- Native: Non-Native
- Flowers/Cones: Flowers are small and inconspicuous. The fruit, called an acorn, is 1 to 3 inches long with a cap covering one-third of it.
- Uses: The wood of the English Oak is used for making furniture, flooring, and barrels for storing wine and whiskey.
The English Oak, officially known as Quercus robur, is a lovely tree native to Europe, Northern Africa, and Western Asia. It enjoys well-drained soil and does not take shadow well, so it requires plenty of sunlight to develop and thrive. It is the most commonly planted nonnative oak tree in Utah due to its popularity in the UK and Europe.
The leaves of the English Oak are similar to those of the white oak but smaller, measuring about 2.5 to 5 inches long, with an earlobe-like base and a short stem called a petiole. The tree produces small and inconspicuous flowers, which are followed by its most famous feature the acorn.
The English Oak acorns are quite large, reaching 1 to 2 inches long and linked to a stalk 1 to 3 inches tall. The acorns have a cap covering roughly one-third of them, which is a distinctive feature of this tree.
The English Oak is commonly planted in landscapes and gardens throughout Europe, and it is also grown in Utah, where it thrives. The tree has an interesting appearance, with narrow or wide crown forms, and its wood is highly valued and used to make furniture, flooring, and barrels for storing wine and whiskey.
7. Chinkapin Oak
- Common Name: Chinkapin Oak
- Scientific Name: Quercus muehlenbergii
- Mature Height: 50 to 65 feet
- Native: Native to most of the eastern half of the U.S. east of the Great Plains
- Flowers/Cones: Acorn
- Uses: This oak tree is attractive and can be planted as a specimen or in groups in yards, parks, or along streets.
The Chinkapin Oak is one of the most beautiful oak trees in Utah which is native to the eastern half of the United States that can grow up to 50 to 65 feet tall, making it a majestic addition to any landscape. Its leaves are thick, measuring around 4 to 7 inches long, and have a serrated margin with sharp teeth, giving them an interesting texture.
The Chinkapin Oak transforms into a gorgeous display of yellow to orange-brown hues throughout the fall season, coloring the landscape with warmth and beauty. It is a sight to behold and can improve the overall appearance of any place where it is cultivated.
The Chinkapin Oak produces little fruits known as acorns, which are chestnut-brown to dark brown and measure approximately 1/2 to 3/4 inch long. A shallow cap with hairy scales that encircle about half of the acorn and mature in just one season encloses the acorns.
Although this oak tree is native to most of the eastern half of the United States, it is not commonly planted in some areas, such as Utah. However, it is worth the effort to find and plant this tree because of its attractive appearance and fall color. The Chinkapin Oak can add beauty, shade, and character to yards, parks, and streets.
8. Swamp White Oak
- Common Name: Swamp White Oak
- Scientific Name: Quercus bicolor
- Mature Height: Up to 100ft
- Native: Native to the northern half of the eastern U.S.
- Flowers/Cones: Fruit is an acorn with a hairy cap that covers one-third of the acorn.
- Uses: Landscape use, provides a pleasing form and good cultural characteristics.
The Swamp White Oak is one of the tallest oak trees in Utah that can reach heights of 100 feet. Its leaves are 5 to 7 inches long and 2 to 4 inches wide, with a shallowly lobed to coarsely serrate margin and a dark green and glossy appearance on the upper side, and paler and hairy to woolly on the underside.
The bark of Swamp White Oak twigs peels into curly, papery scales as they age. The tree produces acorns as its fruit, which have a stalk that is 1 to 4 inches long, and caps that are hairy and fringed, covering one-third of the acorn. The acorns mature in one season.
The Swamp White Oak is native to the northern half of the eastern United States and can be found in damp or low-lying settings, but it is quite drought resistant and can handle intermediate degrees of shade, making it an excellent tree for landscaping.
The Swamp White Oak is not widely planted in Utah and may be difficult to find, but it is well worth planting more of these trees in the state due to its pleasant form and good cultural qualities. The tree displays a magnificent yellow hue during the fall season.
9. Pin Oak
- Common Name: Pin Oak
- Scientific Name: Quercus palustris
- Mature Height: Up to 75 feet
- Native: Native to east-central U.S.
- Flowers/Cones: Produces acorns as fruit
- Uses: Widely planted as an ornamental tree, provides shade
The Pin Oak, formally known as Quercus palustris, is a tall and magnificent oak endemic to the east-central United States that may reach heights of up to 75 feet when fully mature. It is typically found in wet, low-lying environments.
The Pin Oak’s leaves are large, ranging from 3 to 5 inches long and 2 to 5 inches wide, with 5 to 9 lobes and bristle-tipped edges. There are openings between the lobes that extend two-thirds or more to the midrib. The slender petiole, or leaf stalk, can grow up to 2 inches long.
The Pin Oak produces little acorns as its fruit, which are around half an inch long and typically striped, with a thin, saucer-like cap that only encloses the acorn’s base. The acorns grow over two seasons.
The Pin Oak’s bark is thick and gray-brown, and it begins off smooth, but as the tree grows, low, tight, and scaly ridges appear.
The Pin Oak is highly valued for its ornamental qualities; its attractive, upright crown and beautiful fall colors make it a popular choice for landscaping in the eastern parts of the United States; however, due to its susceptibility to iron chlorosis on high pH soils, it is not suitable for planting in Utah.
10. Shumard Oak
- Common Name: Shumard Oak
- Scientific Name: Quercus shumardii
- Mature Height: Can grow up to 60 to 90 feet tall
- Native: Native to eastern and southeastern U.S.
- Flowers/Cones: Produces acorns that are about 3/4″ to 1-1/4″ long, red-brown in color, and have a saucer-like cap covered with small, shingle-like scales.
- Uses: Used similarly to pin oak, but less prone to iron chlorosis.
The Shumard Oak, scientifically known as Quercus shumardii, is a beautiful tree that can grow up to 60 to 90 feet tall when fully mature. Its most striking feature is its leaves, which are 6 to 8 inches long with a margin that has 5 to 9 lobes. The lobes have many coarse teeth and are bristle-tipped, giving the leaf a unique appearance.
This tree bears acorns, which are about 3/4″ to 1-1/4″ long and red-brown, with a saucer-like crown covered in thin, shingle-like scales. It takes two seasons for the acorns to fully mature.
The Shumard Oak is native to the eastern and southeastern United States, particularly in damp environments; it can withstand high soil pH levels and mild drought, making it a hardy tree; and it has intermediate shade tolerance, meaning it may grow well in partially shaded settings.
The Shumard Oak is often used in landscaping in the same way that the pin oak is. However, unlike pin oak, it is less prone to iron chlorosis, a condition in which the leaves turn yellow due to a lack of iron. It also provides a beautiful display of fall color with its deep red leaves. Although it is rarely planted in Utah, it is a tree that could be more commonly found.
11. Turkey Oak
- Common Name: Turkey Oak
- Scientific Name: Quercus cerris
- Mature Height: Can reach a height of 60-100 feet
- Native: Native to Western Asia and Southern Europe
- Flowers/Cones: Produces acorns, which are brown, ovoid in shape, and about 1″ long, with a cap that has long, curled-back scales
- Uses: Not commonly planted in Utah or other parts of the United States, but it is a very desirable tree. It can tolerate drought, high soil pH, and clay soils. It is known for its interesting acorns and leaves.
The Turkey Oak, scientifically known as Quercus cerris, is a tall and beautiful tree native to western Asia and southern Europe. It can grow as tall as 60-100 feet when fully matured, with oval-shaped leaves with teeth or lobes on the edges. The upper side of the leaves is dark green and shiny, while the underside is paler in color.
The Turkey Oak produces acorns, which are the tree’s fruit, in the fall. These acorns are around 1 inch long and brown, and they have a peculiar form and are covered with a cap that has long, curled-back scales.
Although the Turkey Oak is native to western Asia and southern Europe, it is not commonly planted in Utah or other parts of the United States. However, it is a highly desirable tree because it can tolerate drought, high soil pH, and clay soils, allowing it to survive in harsh conditions where other trees would struggle. It is also known for its interesting acorns and leaves, which add visual interest to any landscape.
Overall, the Turkey Oak is a magnificent tree that is treasured for its tenacity and distinctive characteristics; it is a tree that needs more attention and admiration, even though it is not often seen in many parts of the United States.
12. Sawtooth Oak
- Common Name: Sawtooth Oak
- Scientific Name: Quercus acutissima
- Mature Height: Up to 60 feet
- Native: Native to Eastern Asia and Japan
- Flowers/Cones: Produces acorns, which are 1″ long, brown, and round, with a thick cap covered in long, curved scales
- Uses: Great landscape tree with wide adaptability, but may not thrive in very high pH soils
The Sawtooth Oak, formally known as Quercus acutissima, is a magnificent tree native to eastern Asia and Japan that may reach a height of up to 60 feet when completely matured. It is well-known for its distinctive leaves and fruit.
The leaves of the Sawtooth Oak are typically 3 to 7 inches long and 1 to 2 inches wide, with a serrated margin and long bristles at the ends of the teeth. In the fall, these leaves turn a beautiful yellow to golden-brown color, making it a stunning sight during the autumn season.
The Sawtooth Oak produces acorns, which are approximately 1 inch long, brown, and round in shape, with a thick cap that covers about two-thirds of the nut and is covered with long, curved scales. These acorns are a valuable food source for wildlife.
The Sawtooth Oak may grow in a variety of soil types, but it likes acidic, well-drained soils. It has an intermediate shade tolerance, which means it can handle some shade but thrives in full sun. However, it is crucial to remember that this tree may not grow well in soils with extremely high pH levels.
13. Shingle Oak
- Common Name: Shingle Oak
- Scientific Name: Quercus imbricaria
- Mature Height: Up to 60 feet
- Native: Native to east central U.S.
- Flowers/Cones: The fruit is an acorn; covered with a shingle-like cap
- Uses: Good tree for landscapes, but rarely planted in Utah
The Shingle Oak, commonly known as the Laurel Oak and scientifically known as Quercus imbricaria, is a natural tree found in the east-central United States that can grow to be 60 feet tall when fully mature.
The leaves of the Shingle Oak are 3 to 6 inches long and 1 to 3 inches wide, with a shiny dark green upper side and a paler, finely pubescent underside. The leaves have a smooth margin, which means they do not have lobes or teeth but are somewhat wavy. The leaves change color to reddish-brown or yellow-brown in the fall.
The Shingle Oak produces acorns, which are small, about 1/2 to 3/4 inch long, and brown. They have a short stem and are topped with a cap with shingle-like scales. The acorns develop in about two seasons.
This oak tree is well-suited for landscape use, particularly in areas with moist soil. When compared to other oak trees, the Shingle Oak is more tolerant of high soil pH but less tolerant than many other oaks. However, it is rarely planted in Utah and may be difficult to find there.
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Common Oak Trees In Utah 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 & Shrubs In Yard And Garden, Utah State University Extension
- Native & Non-Native Tree Identification, Utah State University Forestry Extension.
- Native Plants, Utah Native Plant Society.
- A Guide To The Trees Of Utah & Intermountain West, Book By Michael Kuhns, Utah State University Press.
