Landowners for Oaks

Landowners for Oaks is a series of publications developed by the White Oak Initiative in partnership with the University of Kentucky Department of Forestry and Natural Resources.

These documents are designed to provide forest landowners and others with important information about white oak trees and good forest management practices within upland oak forests.

The first three publications provide information on the importance of oaks, their biology and common management practices to enhance oak regeneration and growth. The remaining eight publications provide basic information on common upland oak species, how to identify them, and important management and utilization information.

Landowners Guide to Understanding the Importance of White Oak

White oak is a critical component of our forests. Not only is white oak an important timber resource, but it is also one of the most highly valued wildlife trees in the eastern United States. These reasons and more compel us to work toward sustaining this important resource. The use of oak-friendly management practices is a key element in ensuring that white oak forests continue to successfully regenerate and thrive.

Landowners Guide to Challenges of Upland Oak Regeneration

While large oak trees are common in upland oak forests, over the last several decades there has been a noticeable decline in the number of young oak seedlings and saplings, indicating a problem with oak forests being able to regenerate themselves. To regenerate, oak forests must produce enough acorns that will successfully germinate into small oak seedlings and have the proper conditions so that these seedlings can continue to grow into saplings and eventually trees.

Landowners Guide to Sustainable Oak Management Practices

Maintaining healthy oak forests often means ensuring that oaks continue to regenerate seedlings and saplings, and existing oaks have room to grow. While the different species of oaks generally have the same issues and respond similarly to common oak management practices, these practices can be optimized to meet specific requirements for each species including white oak.

Landowners Guide to Identification and Characteristics: White Oak

White oak (Quercus alba) is considered the most important hardwood tree species in the eastern United States. It is one of the most widely distributed of all the oaks growing on a wide range of soils and sites over a very large geographic area. As a result, white oaks are often important landmark trees, having historical or cultural significance. White oaks are also critically important today as a keystone species of the central hardwoods region’s green infrastructure.

Landowners Guide to Identification and Characteristics: Black Oak

Black oak (Quercus velutina) is a common and widely distributed oak that is part of the red oak group. It is a medium-sized tree that can grow up to 80 feet in height. Like many red oaks, it is suitable for timber products and its fruit, the acorn, is a valuable wildlife food. Black oak can be found on a wide variety of sites, including those with moist and well-drained soils, but is most often found on medium to poor soils associated with a south or west facing aspect.

Landowners Guide to Identification and Characteristics: Northern Red Oak

Northern red oak (Quercus rubra) is widespread and one of the most important oaks of the red oak group. It is a medium-sized to large tree that grows 60 to over 100 feet tall and two to three feet in diameter. Often considered one of the highest quality tree species in upland forests, it is an important tree for lumber. In addition, both the leaves and acorns provide food for wildlife.

Landowners Guide to Identification and Characteristics: Southern Red Oak

Southern red oak (Quercus falcata) is one of the more common upland oaks found in the southeastern United States. It is a medium-sized tree typically 50 to 70 feet in height. Like many red oaks, it is suitable for timber products and its fruit, the acorn, is a valuable wildlife food. Southern red oak also has value as an urban landscape tree.

Landowners Guide to Identification and Characteristics: Chinkapin Oak

Chinkapin oak (Quercus muehlenbergii) is found throughout eastern and central North America and is a member of the white oak group. This oak grows well on alkaline soils. It typically grows 35 to 80 feet tall. The foliage and acorns are an important wildlife food.

Landowners Guide to Identification and Characteristics: Chestnut Oak

Chestnut oak (Quercus montana) is found in the Appalachian Mountains and surrounding areas. It is a member of the white oak group. The chestnut oak is a medium-sized tree that typically grows 50 to 80 feet tall and up to two feet in diameter. The wood resembles white oak wood, and the leaves resemble American chestnut, chinkapin oak and swamp chestnut oak. The large acorns are an important wildlife food.

Landowners Guide to Identification and Characteristics: Scarlet Oak

Scarlet oak (Quercus coccinea) is one of the many red oaks found in the eastern United States. It is a medium-sized tree of 70 to 80 feet and is commonly found on dry upland slopes and ridges in natural landscapes. Scarlet oak has also been widely planted as an ornamental for its beautiful scarlet red leaves in autumn and its ability to tolerate dry conditions. Like many red oaks it is suitable for timber products and its fruit, the acorn, is a valuable wildlife food.

Landowners Guide to Identification and Characteristics: Post Oak

Post oak (Quercus stellata) is found throughout eastern and central North America and is a member of the white oak group. This oak is usually found on dry uplands. Post oak can grow to 65 feet tall. The foliage and acorns are an important wildlife food. However, the leaves can be toxic to cattle, sheep and goats due to high levels of tannins.

Funding for the Landowners for Oak series was provided by the Kentucky Division of Forestry through the Upland Oak Sustainability and Management Project sponsored by the USDA Forest Service, State and Private Forestry, Landscape Scale Restoration Program.