What Is Blackjack Oak
Uncommon small tree of uplands, most often growing on poor, dry sites. Intolerant of shade. The large, coarse leaves are club-shaped, thick, glossy above, and hairy below. Water Oak (Quercus nigra) also has club-shaped leaves, but is not otherwise similar - it's a large tree of wet areas, with much smaller, smooth leaves and less rough bark.
Bark of a medium-sized tree. Orange Co., NC 4/12/08. Staminate flowers with Blackjack Oak tree in background. Orange Co., NC 4/12/08. Blackjack Oak The blackjack oak (Quercus marilandica) is also known as the Jack oak, black oak, and barren oak. A small deciduous tree that grows 20 to 30 feet (maximum 90 feet) with a trunk diameter of 1 foot or less. It is similar to the post oak which also grows with blackjack oak, but the leaf lobes are more pronounced and not bristle-tipped.
Like other oaks, the staminate (male) flowers are in drooping catkins.
Orange Co., NC 4/12/08.
What Is A Blackjack Oak
Scotland Co., NC 4/20/05.
Fall foliage is red to brown.
Durham, NC 11/18/06.
What Is A Blackjack Oak
Blackish, blocky bark of a large tree.