Red Oak (Northern Red Oak)
Quercus rubra · Fagaceae (Beech and Oak family)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous
Shape
Ovate to obovate with shallow to moderately deep lobes, typically 7 to 11 lobes with bristle tips.
Margin
Lobed with bristled, dentate margins.
Arrangement
Alternate
Venation
Pinnate venation with a prominent midrib and branching secondary veins extending into the lobe tips.
Key Features
Bristle-tipped leaf lobes, alternating leaf arrangement, slender smooth petiole, and dull dark green upper surface.
Description
A classic specimen mounted in a collection pouch, this simple deciduous leaf showcases the distinctive bristled lobes and slender petiole characteristic of its parent tree. The Northern Red Oak is a large, majestic canopy tree known for its rapid growth, sturdy trunk, and valuable hardwood timber.
Habitat
Found in deciduous forests, preferring moist, well-drained acidic soils, often on uplands or along streams.
Native Range
Native to eastern and central North America, extending from southern Canada down through the eastern United States.