Top 25 Oak Facts You Should Know

Oak Facts

The oak tree is a deciduous tree that grows in temperate zones around the world, and it is one of the most important trees in the world. Oak trees are evergreen, which means that they keep their leaves all year round. They can grow for hundreds of years and live for about 500 years. The oldest oak tree on record lived for 1,300 years! Oak trees have many interesting features such as their bark, leaves, acorns, and more. Below are some interesting Oak Facts.

1. As you know, an Oak is a tree or shrub. It belongs to the genus Quercus of the beech family, Fagaceae.

2. There are approximately more than 600 species of Oaks.

3. Mexico contains the largest number of Oak Species, 160 species of which 109 are endemic. While China contains 200 species, and 90 occur in the United States. One of the most beautiful oak trees in northern red oak (Quercus rubra). The leaves have a unique red color. Red oak is also the state tree of New Jersey.

4. In spring, Oaktree produces both male and female flowers.

5. The fruit is an oak nut borne called an acorn, a cup-like structure known as a cupule that takes 6 to 18 months to mature, depending on the species.

6. Oaks have spirally arranged leaves, with lobate margins in many species; some have serrated leaves or entire leaves with smooth margins.

7. Oak Tree survives in various forests, temperate climates, and Mediterranean and tropical areas.

8. Oak Trees are prone to fungal diseases, which may induce rotting of the inner part of the plant.

9. Also, 78 species of oaks trees are listed as endangered because of habitat destruction, over-exploitation, diseases, and the introduction of invasive species.

10. Oak trees can reach 75 feet in height and 9 feet in width, and their branches can stretch to 145 feet in length.

11. Oak trees are usually large. One of the biggest oak trees is located in Goose Island State Park. This oak is 45 feet tall, and 35 feet wide; with a crown that has 90 feet in diameter.

12. Due to its massive size, Oat Tree needs a large amount of water per day, it has the ability to absorb 50 gallons of water each day.

13. The Leaves of Oak trees can be lobed, serrated, or flat on the edges, however, in some species the leaves are bristles.

14. One of the interesting Oak Facts is it produces both male and female flowers. Male flowers are arranged in clusters called catkins. Female flowers are much smaller.

15. The Oat tree fruit is called an acorn, and production starts at the age of 20 to 25 years.

16. The Oak Tree produces over 2,000 acorns each year, but 1 in 10,000 acorns will grow up into an Oak tree.

17. Many animals like ducks, deer, squirrels, woodpeckers, rats, mice, pigeons, and bears feed on acorns.

18. The Oak Tree wood is very hard and strong, normally used in the manufacturing of Yamaha drums, ships, furniture, cosmetic creams, and flooring materials. Oakwood is also used in special aromas for some beverages.

19. Oak Tree is the national plant of several countries like the USA, France, England, Germany, Poland, Latvia, and Serbia.

20. Oak Tree symbolizes strength and endurance. They feed various living creatures with their leaves and acorns.

21. Young Acorns, leaves, and buds contain tannic acid that entices toxic effects in cattle. Tannic acid induces the formation of ulcers, Kidney damage and results in malformation in the newly born cattle.

22. Most of the Oak species live more than 200 years, but few trees have the ability to survive over a thousand years.

23. Oak trees played a vital role in human history. They built their homes, manufactured tools, and constructed.

24. The largest living oak tree is located in Mandeville, Louisiana. The oldest known living oak trees with an estimated age of 1,500 years.

25. The aging of wine in oak barrels was the historic practice of famous winemakers. It is still practiced in our days.

    

    Read More – Angel Oak – 450 Years Old Tree in South Carolina

Source: – Soft Schools