Plant · GBIF taxon 8086561
black oak
Quercus velutinaAlso known as Eastern Black Oak, Yellow Oak, Quercitron Oak
Black oaks dominate dry upland ridges across eastern North America, recognized by their dark, blocky bark and glossy leaves with bristle-tipped lobes. Beneath the rough outer trunk lies a vivid yellow inner bark rich in tannic acid, historically harvested to produce bright yellow dyes. Their heavy autumn acorn crops provide critical winter fuel for deer, wild turkeys, blue jays, and small mammals.
DeciduousTreeForest
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Sunlight
- Water
- Soil minerals
Predators
- Spongy moth caterpillars
- Oak wilt fungus
- White-tailed deer
ThreatsOak wilt disease, spongy moth defoliation, severe drought
HabitatsDry upland forests, sandy ridges, oak-hickory woodlands
Life span150 to 200 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyFagaceae
- SpeciesQuercus velutina
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Acorns and foliage contain tannins toxic to dogs and horses if ingested in quantity.
- Why it is dangerous
- Contains high concentrations of tannic acid, causing kidney damage and intestinal severe distress in horses and livestock.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Recognized by dark blocky bark, glossy bristle-tipped leaves, and top-shaped acorns with fringed scaly caps.
- What to do
- Prevent horses and pets from grazing on fallen acorns or dried leaves; observe trees safely from a distance.
Responsible observation
- Bark Identification: Look for dark, deeply ridged outer bark with a bright yellow inner layer visible in cracks.
- Acorn Observation: Check late summer and autumn for top-shaped acorns enclosed halfway in scaly fringed caps.
- Foliage Display: Watch upland ridges in mid-autumn for deep orange and red fall foliage.
Frequent Companion Parasite Close Relative 
Close Relative James St. John / CC BY 2.0 · CC BY 2.0
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