R = belongs to red oak group—acorns mature over two seasons & leaves typically have pointed lobes. W = belongs to white oak group— acorns mature in one season & leaves typically have rounded lobes.
Estimated size range is height x spread for trees growing in eastern Nebraska.
A few places to see oaks: Indian Cave State Park; Krumme Arboretum in Falls City; Peru State College; Fontenelle Nature Center in Bellevue; Elmwood Park in Omaha; Wayne Park in Waverly; University of Nebraska Lincoln; Lincoln Regional Center Arboretum; Ehman Park in Gothenburg; Highland Park in Hastings; UNL Extension Center & Cody Park in North Platte; and UNL Extension Center in Scottsbluff

Evertson, Justin R.

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University of Nebraska - LincolnDigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - LincolnNebraska Statewide Arboretum Publications Nebraska Statewide Arboretum2013Oaks for NebraskaJustin R. EvertsonUniversity of Nebraska - Lincoln, jevertson1@unl.eduFollow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/arboretumpubsPart of the Botany Commons, and the Forest Biology CommonsThis Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Ithas been accepted for inclusion in Nebraska Statewide Arboretum Publications by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University ofNebraska - Lincoln.Evertson, Justin R., "Oaks for Nebraska" (2013). Nebraska Statewide Arboretum Publications. 1.http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/arboretumpubs/1R = belongs to red oak group—acorns mature over two seasons & leaves typically have pointed lobes.W = belongs to white oak group—acorns mature in one season & leaves typically have rounded lobes.Estimated size range is height x spread for trees growing in eastern Nebraska. A few places to see oaks:  Indian Cave State Park; Krumme Arboretum in Falls City; Peru State College; Fontenelle Nature Center in Bellevue; Elmwood Park in Omaha; Wayne Park in Waverly; University of Nebraska Lincoln; Lincoln Regional Center Arboretum; Ehman Park in Gothenburg; Highland Park in Hastings; UNL Extension Center & Cody Park in North Platte; and UNL Extension Center in Scottsbluff.Native Nebraska OaksBlack oak, Quercus velutina (R)Large growing native similar to red oak; leaves are glossy and dark-green above with velvety undersides; nice red-maroon fall color; should be planted more; 40-50’x 40-50’.Oaks for NebraskaJustin Evertson, Nebraska Statewide Arboretumarboretum.unl.edu or retreenebraska.unl.eduBlackjack oak, Quercus marilandica (R)Shorter and slower growing than most oaks with distinctive tri-lobed leaves; can take on a very natural look with age; tough and underutilized; good fall color; 30-40’x 25-35’.Bur oak, Quercus macrocarpa (W)Our most common native oak; big and majestic - tough and reliable; thick, corky bark helped it to withstand prairie fire; twigs can have very corky ridges; large, fat, fan-shaped leaves; named for large acorns with bur-like fringes; 50-70’x 50-70’.Chinkapin oak, Quercus muehlenbergii (W)Narrow, chestnut-like leaves; flaky, gray-yellowish bark with maturity; tolerates high pH soils; should be planted more; 40-60’x 30-50’.Dwarf chinkapin oak, Quercus prinoides (W)Variable habit from shrubby to tree form; prolific acorn producer; can have nice yellow fall color; national champion grows near Salem Nebraska; 10-25’x 10-20’.Red oak, Quercus rubra (R)Very reliable native; rounded habit; 7-9 shallowly lobed leaves are dull-green in summer with nice red fall color; 50-60’x 45-55’. White oak, Quercus alba (W)Native to eastern Great Plains and extreme southeast Nebraska; similar in stature to bur oak – majestic and inspiring; light gray, scaly bark; fewer acorns; good fall color; 55-65’x 55-60’.Native U.S. OaksBear oak, Quercus ilicifolia (R): Shrubby, multi-stem habit; native to northeastern US; leaves similar to red oak; slow grower; 10-20’ x 10-20’.Cherrybark oak, Quercus pagoda (R): Similar to red oak but with rough, scaly bark that can resemble black cherry when mature; prefers moist, fertile soils; can be fast growing; 40-60’x 35-50’.Chestnut oak, Quercus montana (W): Bright green, chestnut-like leaf; prefers moist, fertile soils; distinctive ridged bark somewhat resembles an alligator’s back when mature; 45-60’x 40-50’.Gambel oak, Quercus gambelii (W): Native to southern Rocky Mountains; variable multi-stem habit – can be very shrubby in dry, difficult locations and more tree-like on better sites; very drought tolerant; 15-25’x 10-20’.Northern pin (Hill’s) oak, Quercus ellipsoidalis (R)Similar to pin oak but less prone to iron chlorosis; native to northern US; good red/maroon fall color; 40-50’x 35-45’.Overcup oak, Quercus lyrata (W)Large bur oak-like leaves; acorns nearly covered by cap; 40-50’x 35-45’.Pin oak, Quercus palustris (R): Beautiful, tall, upright habit with descending lower branches; good fall color; heavy acorn producer; very prone to iron chlorosis and should only be planted on acidic soils (pH <7.0); 50-70’x 40-50’.Post oak, Quercus stellata (W)Tough, corky bark; medium rounded tree; distinctive, cruciform leaves; native into southern Iowa and eastern Kansas; 25-35’x 25-35’.Scarlet oak, Quercus coccinea (R): Similar to pin oak; scarlet fall color; avoid high pH soils; 45-60’x 40-50’.Shingle oak, Quercus imbricaria (R): Distinctive narrow, smooth-edged leaves that are held through winter; tan-yellow fall color; 40-50’x 35-45’.Shumard oak, Quercus shumardii(R): Very similar to red oak in habit and leaf shape; good heat and drought tolerance; reliable red fall color; should be planted more; 40-50’x 40-50’.Swamp chestnut oak, Quercus michauxii (W): Similar to chestnut oak; native to wetter soils of southeastern US; scaly-grayish bark similar to white oak; 40-50’x 40-50’.Swamp white oak, Quercus bicolor (W): One of the most popular oaks for planting; attractive glossy leaves with silvery underside; good for wet or dry soils; can be chlorotic on high pH soils; 60’x 50’Texas red (Buckley) oak, Quercus buckleyi (R): Related to shumard oak but leaves smaller and more glossy; native to southern Great Plains; very good drought tolerance; bright red fall color; 25-40’x 20-35’.Wavyleaf oak, Quercus xundulata (W): A naturally occurring hybrid of Q. gambelii and Q. turbinella from Rocky Mountains and SW US; semi-evergreen leaves; typically multi-stem and shrubby; 10-20’x 10-20’.Non-native OaksEnglish oak, Quercus robur (W)Similar to white oak but with smaller, glossy-green leaves and long, abundant acorns; habit can vary from round and spreading to upright; tough and reliable; 60’x 50’.Japanese Emperor (Daimyo) oak, Quercus dentata: Similar to Q. mongolica; large, thick, fuzzy leaves held through winter making it somewhat prone to ice damage when young; 25-40’x 20-40’.Liotung oak, Quercus liaotungensis: Native to China and similar to Mongolian oak; large leaves; 30-40’x 30-40’.Mongolian oak, Quercus mongolica (W): Similar to Bur Oak in habit and adaptability though doesn’t grow as large; chestnut-like leaves; performing well in N. Dakota; 40-50’x 34-45’. Sawtooth oak, Quercus acutissima: Fast growing oak from Asia; long, narrow leaves with sawtooth-like edges; upright growth when young; distinctive frilled acorn caps; 50-60’x 40-50’.Oak Hybrids, Varieties & CultivarsBlack-blackjack (Bush) oak, Quercus xbushii (Q. marilandica x velutina), N: Very similar to blackjack oak; occurs naturally in southeast Nebraska; 20-30’x 20-30’.Bur-chinkapin (Deams) oak, Quercus xdeamii (Q. macrocarpa x muehlenbergii), N: Occasionally found in southeast Nebraska; a nice specimen grows on Peru State College campus; 40-60’x 40-50’.Bur-gambel oak, Quercus macrocarpa x gambelii: Great heat and drought tolerance makes it a good choice for western Great Plains; abundant acorns at a young age (4yrs); 25-40’x 25-45’.Bur-swamp white (Schuette) oak, Quercus xschuettei (Q. bicolor x macrocarpa): Vigorous habit; glossy, dark green leaves resist lace bugs; good acorn production; 50-60’x 50-60’.Bur-white (Bebbs) Oak, Quercus xbebbiana (Q. alba x macrocarpa): Great looking tree; very hardy and a vigorous grower; good fall color on some trees; 50-60’x 50-60’.Red-pin oak, Quercus xcolumnaris (Q. palustris x rubra): Fairly common hybrid in nature and in nursery industry; many nice, large trees grow in Lincoln; avoid high pH soils; 50-60’x 40-50’.English oak Cultivars‘Clemons’ (Heritage) Oak, Bur-English oak cross: Quercus xmacdanielii  (Q. macrocarpa x robur): Vigorous grower with abundant acorn production; glossy leaves resist mildew; 50-60’x 30-40’. ‘Crimson Spire’ oak, White-English cross, Quercus xbimundorum (Quercus alba x robur): Possesses a narrow-growing habit and red fall color; 40’x 15’.‘Regal Prince’ (Ware) oak, Swamp white-columnar English, Quercus xwarei (Q. robur var fastigiata x bicolor): Regal Prince Oak has a very attractive, upright habit with glossy foliage.  Potential Oaks (need further testing or special siting)Chinese cork oak, Quercus variabilis: Leaves and habit similar to sawtooth oak; corky bark; 40-60’x 35-55’.Downy oak, Quercus pubescens: Attractive small, leathery leaves that emerge pubescent, thus its common name; short, irregular habit; doing well in Waverly; 20-30’x 20-30’.Hungarian oak, Quercus frainetto: Native to Balkan Peninsula; white oak family; attractive glossy leaves with silvery undersides; doing well in Waverly; 35-45’x 30-40’. Mohr (shin) oak, Quercus mohriana: Native to New Mexico, west Texas/Oklahoma; shrubby, multi-stem habit; distinctive leaves with silvery pubescent undersides; tolerates dry, alkaline soils; 15-25’x 10-20’. Oriental white oak, Quercus aliena: Little know oak from China; glossy, chestnut-like leaves; nice fall color; doing well in Waverly; 40-50’x 30-40’. Shrub live oak, Quercus turbinella (W): Shrubby habit; semi-evergreen; best for western Great Plains; 15’x 15’.Southern red oak, Quercus falcata: Somewhat similar to red oak but with distinctive turkey-foot like leaves that have wider lower lobes; maroon fall color; good on dry sites; does well in eastern Kansas; 30-40’x 30-40’.Water oak, Quercus nigra: Very distinctive tip-heavy leaves somewhat like blackjack oak; prefers moist, well-drained soils; 30-40’x 30-40’.Nuttall oak, Quercus nuttallii: Similar to shumard oak; native to lower Mississippi drainage basin; tolerates poorly drained soils; red fall color; 40-60’x 35-50’. Turkey oak, Quercus cerris (I): Native to Europe and Asia Minor, including Turkey; leaves similar to white oak; tolerates alkaline soils; 40-60’x 40-50’.Willow oak, Quercus phellos: Narrow willow-like leaves; pin-oak like habit and siting requirements; 45’x 40’.Send comments or suggestions to: Justin Evertson, 402.472.5045, jevertson1@unl.edu

Oaks for Nebraska

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Oaks for Nebraska

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