Leaf: Alternate, simple 2 to 4 inches long and extremely variable in shape (from spatulate to lanceolate). May be 0 to 5 lobed. Margins may be entire or bristle-tipped. Both surfaces are glabrous, but axillary tufts may be present below.

Flower: Staminate flowers borne on catkins. Pistillate flowers borne on spikes. Appearing with the leaves.

Fruit: Acorns are 1/2 inch long, very dark in color, and 1/3 covered by a flattened cap with appressed scales. Maturing in September of the second year.

Twig: Slender, red-brown in color, with short, sharp-pointed, angular, red-brown buds that are multiple at the tip.

Bark: Dark and quite tight, smooth when young and later with irregular rough patches. Much later developing wide, scaly ridges.

Form: A medium-sized tree with a slender bole and rounded crown with ascending branches.

Copyright (c) 2001 Santee-Wateree Resource Conservation and Development Council.
This page was last updated on October 29, 2001.

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