Wasowski, Sally and Andy
Quercus laevis Walt.
Turkey oak
Fagaceae (Beech Family)
A small
tree, frequently a
shrub, turkey oak grows up to 40 ft. tall, with stout, spreading, contorted branches forming a broad, irregular-shaped crown. The foliage is so deeply and narrowly lobed leaves that some leaves resemble a turkey foot. Leaves are
deciduous, but the brightly colored fall foliage stays on the
tree well into winter.
Shrub
or small tree normally
growing to 43 feet (13 m),
occasionally to 72 feet
(21.9 m) in height; tree has
irregular open crown with
crooked branches. BARK:
gray to dark gray, mature bark is deeply furrowed with irregular ridges, reddish inner bark. TWIGS and BUDS: dark chestnut-brown twigs with a gray cast, sparsely pubescent, chestnut-brown bark with pubescence; narrowly ovoid buds. LEAVES: smooth petiole 1⁄4 - 1 inch (6 - 25 mm) long; leaf blade broadly ovate or triangular in outline; 4 - 8 inches (101 - 203 mm) long, 3 1⁄8 - 6 inches (79 - 153 mm) wide near middle, base is acute or rounded and decurrent on petiole, margin with 3 - 7 lobes which looks similar to a turkey’s foot, usually with
1 - 3 bristle-tipped teeth, sinuses between lobes are deep; leaf surface is smooth and
light green above, paler green below with axillary tufts
of reddish hair, raised veins on both surfaces.
The common name refers to the shape of the 3-lobed leaves suggesting a turkeys foot. The Latin species name, meaning smooth, describes the nearly hairless leaves. Spreads by underground runners, especially after frequent fires. This species is similar to Q. falcata in leaf shape and can be distinguished by the tapered leaf base and axillary tufts, whereas the southern red oak leaves have a u-shaped base and pubescence covering the entire lower leaf surface.
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Plant Characteristics
Duration: Perennial Habit: Tree Leaf Retention: Deciduous Leaf Arrangement: Alternate Leaf Complexity: Simple Leaf Shape: Deltoid ,
Ovate Leaf Venation: Pinnate Leaf Margin: Lobed
Leaf Base: Rounded
Breeding System: Flowers
Unisexual ,
Monoecious Inflorescence: Catkin Fruit Type: Nut Size Notes: Normally
growing to 43 feet (13 m),
occasionally to 72 feet
(21.9 m) in height;
Leaf: Leaf surface is smooth and
light green above, paler green below with
axillary tufts
of reddish hair,
Autumn Foliage: yes
Fruit: Acorns biennial;
nearly
sessile short-stalked peduncle; cup
- 48 -
has
pubescent scales with
red margins,
pubescent inner
surface, goblet-shaped cup
covering 1⁄3 of nut; broadly
elliptical, light brown nut
with faint stripes, 3⁄4 - 11⁄8
inch (19 - 29 mm) long, tip
often covered with short
white pubescence.
Size Class: 36-72 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May
Distribution
USA: AL , FL , GA , LA , MS , NC , SC , VA
Native Distribution: Louisiana east to Florida and north to Virginia.
Native Habitat: Dry sandy and well-drained soils on ridges in the southeastern coastal plain.
USDA Native Status: L48(N) Growing Conditions
Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun
CaCO3 Tolerance: None
Soil Description: Sandy, sterile, well-drained soil.
Conditions Comments: Not Available
Benefit
Use Wildlife: It has no commercial value, but acorns provide food for turkey, deer, and small mammals.
Interesting Foliage: yes
Last Update: 2011-09-27
