Habitat

• native to eastern and central United States
• zone 3

Habit and Form

• a medium-sized, deciduous tree
• 50 to 60' tall
• irregular spread
• pyramidal when young
• medium texture
• moderate growth rate

Summer Foliage

• alternate leaf arrangement
• simple, deciduous leaves
• leaves are 4" to 10" long
• pointed lobes
• 7 to 9 lobes per leaf
• shiny, dark green leaves

Autumn Foliage

• reddish brown fall color

Flowers

• monoecious
• male flowers are pendulous yellow-green catkins
• blooms in May
• messy

Fruit

• elongated acorn in pairs on singly
• 0.25" to 0.5" long
• acorn is ovoid in shape and striated
• bowl-like cap

Bark

• almost black bark
• vertically deeply furrowed
• inner bark is orange
• stout, reddish brown stems
• stems have a bitter taste
• young stems are pubescent

Culture

• full sun
• prefers moist, rich, well-drained, acidic soil
• transplant at a small size
• can be difficult to move and establish
• dislikes being disturbed

Landscape Use

• shade tree
• for large area
• existing native trees are often saved during construction
• long-lived and desirable

Liabilities

• slow-growing
• difficult to transplant and establish
• numerous insect and disease pests, but damage is rarely significant

ID Features

• leaves with 7 to 9 pointed lobes
• black bark
• striated acorns

Propagation

• by seed

Cultivars/Varieties

• none