Quercus velutinaIndiana Native
Black Oak

Family:

Fagaceae (Beech Family) 46

Genus:

Quercus (Oak) 33

Plant Type:

Tree 569

Growth Forms:

Upright 574

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 3 233

Deciduous / Evergreen:

Deciduous 839

Flower Notes:

Green (Yellowish-green monoecious catkins in the spring; not ornamentally important)

Foliage Notes:

Green (Lustrous dark green summer foliage); Multi-Colored (Yellow to red and brown fall foliage)

Stem Notes:

reddish or reddish brown, mottled with gray, stout, downy when young and finally glabrous

Fruit Notes:

Brown (Light reddish-brown acorn)

Ultimate Height:

50-60 feet

Ultimate Spread:

50-60 feet

Bloom Times:

Light Requirements:

Soil Water Requirements:

Dry to medium 50

Soil Notes:

Widely adapted to soils

Range:

Eastern United States

Maintenance:

Low 274

Diagnostic Characteristics:

The glossy leaves (4-10" long by 2-5" wide) are alternate, simple, and elliptical with 7-9 sharply-tipped lobes. The pointed buds (0.25-0.5" long) are 5-side, imbricate, and covered in grayish pubescence. Reddish-brown acorns (0.5-0.75" long) are up to 1/2 way covered by a saucer-like cap. Stems are stout and bitter-tasting, and can turn saliva yellowish. The nearly black bark is deeply furrowed, exposing yellow to orange inner bark.

Ecological Functions:

Purdue Plant Doctor

Plant Doctor Page

Special Characteristics:

Pollution Tolerant 217

Additional Information

Quercus velutina is a large, deciduous oak with an irregular canopy. It is closely related to Q. rubra (Red Oak), which it is known to hybridize with. The interesting bark of the Q. velutina is nearly black and furrowed. Transplanting is made difficult by the long tap root. Not generally sold commercially.

Plant Photo Gallery

Winter Habit

Bark

Buds

Summer Habit

Leaves

23 Quercus velutina found

Building Map...

= Heritage plant = Memorial plant

Number	Accession ID	Location
1	ORIG_7937*A	HLTP
2	ORIG_7939*A	SCPA
3	ORIG_4205*A	OWEN
4	2021_00038*A	FST
5	2023_00202*A	HORTPARK
6	2023_00202*C	HORTPARK
7	2023_00202*D	HORTPARK
8	2023_00202*E	HORTPARK
9	2023_00202*F	HORTPARK
10	2023_00237*B	HORTPARK
11	2023_00237*C	HORTPARK
12	2023_00309*A	PICK
13	2023_00309*B	PICK
14	2023_00309*C	PICK
15	2023_00309*D	PICK
16	2023_00309*E	PICK
17	2023_00309*F	PICK
18	2023_00309*G	PICK
19	2023_00349*A	PICK
20	2023_00349*B	PICK
21	2023_00586*A	CARY
22	2024_00234*A	DLR
23	2024_00234*B	DLR