Quercus pagoda Raf.

Cherry Bark Oak; Swamp Spanish Oak

Tree

Perennial

Vascular

Cherry Bark Oak is a large native deciduous tree in the Beech family (Fagaceae). It can be found in scattered areas throughout Alabama. Cherry Bark Oak often grows on the floodplains of large rivers, and in areas with basic soils. It is most common in the Black Belt area of Central Alabama. Cherry Bark Oak is a large tree reaching 100-120 feet in height. The bark is gray or blackish in color and forms narrow flakey ridges. It resembles that of old Black Cherry trees (Prunus serotina Ehrhart). Leaves are petiolate, ovate to elliptic in outline, with 5-7 triangular lobes. The lobes may have 2-3 teeth or small lobes near the apex. The base of the leaf is wedge-shaped and forms a “V”. The base of Southern Red Oak (Quercus falcata Michaux) leaves are more rounded forming a “U”. The terminal lobe is not much different than the lateral lobes. In Southern Red Oak, the terminal lobe is often elongate and narrower than the lateral lobes. The upper surface of the leaf is glabrous and shiny; the lower surface of the leaf is pale and pubescent with fine stellate hairs. Leaves turn yellow-brown before falling in the autumn. Male flowers are produced in drooping yellow-green catkins. Female flowers are solitary and sessile. The fruit is a nut. The acorns take two years to mature. The cup of the acorn is saucer shaped and covers 1/3 to ½ of the acorn. Cherry Bark Oak has been treated as a variety of Southern Red Oak (Quercus falcata Michaux var. pagodifolia Elliott or Quercus falcata Michaux var. leucophylla (Ashe) E. J. Palmer & Steyermark). Cherry Bark Oak is distinct morphologically and environmentally. Cherry Bark Oak is sometimes cultivated as a large shade tree or as a street tree. It prefers a moist, loamy soil and full sun. Cherry Bark Oak is available from many native plant nurseries. Trees can tolerate short periods of flooding during the winter.--A. Diamond

**

Native FAC+ (NWPL)

**