When looking at the bark, red oak is typically smoother. Some red oak acorns are very small, providing a valuable food source for smaller species like wood ducks. Required fields are marked *, Copyright 2020 - Hunt The Land | Website design by Moriah Boggess. Moriah is a co-founder of Hunt The Land and a graduate of the NC State University Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology program. These groups each contain many different species that each have unique characteristics, while keeping some broad similarities with other species in their respective groups. How to tell the Difference Between Red Oak vs White Oak. (Above) The bark of white oaks is light colored and often “shaggy” or peeling off the trunk. Red and white oaks (Quercus species) are great trees to plant in your yard and you will find one from the many oak species available to choose from. Is this politically incorrect, now days?–Ron, Your email address will not be published. Red oak is an open-grained wood with very large pores. This may explain why white oak is less likely to shrink than red oak. Another good indicator of white vs. red oak is the shape of the leaf lobes. Red Oak vs. White Oak. Both red and white oak are undeniably beautiful choices of hardwood, and there’s really no “better-looking” choice. White Oak vs Red Oak: Comparison Table . I have many of both of these trees on my land, but never found the differences so clearly illustrated till now. I hope that this brief overview of the red oak and white oak groups has familiarize you with some of the terminology on these valuable wildlife trees. As shown in the table below, within each group are several different species. Other white oak family members include the bur oak, chestnut oak, and Oregon white oak. In comparison, the white oak leaf is on the right and has the rounded edges. Most oaks fall into one of two main categories: white oak and red oak. On the other hand, white oak bark has deep furrows and ridges that are triangular in cross-section. Assuming you have just come across a tree or a pile of wood. Only a wood connoisseur would know the difference. In the fall, when leaves change colors, the leaves on red oaks will often display brilliant colors. Bark Identification of Red Oak vs White Oak. Whereas, white oak has leaves with rounded edges. Oaks (which are in the Beech family- Fagaceae) are divided into two groups, the red and the white oaks. The bark does not have deep furrows and tall ridges. He is a published author in Quality Whitetails, Purdue University Extension, and is currently a graduate student at the Mississippi State University Deer Lab where he studies interactions between deer, oaks, and other hardwood trees. Oaks are prolific fruit producers in fall and can provide an abundance of hard mast for wildlife depending on the year. On the other hand, white oak bark … The lobes of the leaf are well defined with sharp angles. Required fields are marked *. People tend to use the terms white and red oaks as reference between two species, but this is actually not true (note that white oak is the species Quercus alba, and there is also a white oak group to which Quercus alba belongs). Red oak (Quercus rubra) and white oak (Quercus alba) are both tall trees suited for large landscape spaces. When looking at the bark, red oak is typically smoother. Hey, thanks. On the other hand, white oak is a close-grain wood that is almost impervious to water. Red oak leaves usually come to a point at the end of each lobe, while the lobes of white oak leaves tend to be rounded. White Oak Trees. Your email address will not be published. Red Oak. 4 Essential Herbicides for Any Habitat Manager, #114 – How To Build A Custom Ghillie Suit With John Zimmerman, #113 – How To Quarter And Pack Deer Out Of The Field, #112 – Answering Questions: Food Plots, Woods TP, Fighting The Chafe, And Our Archaic Hunting Methods. Subscribe to White oak trees generally have lobed leaves that have a rounded tips and don’t have bristles. Often other types of oak are substituted for Red oak as well, although their wood is not always of as high a quality. White Oak Tree (Q. alba) – Not to be confused with the group of oaks called white oaks, the white oak tree grows very slowly. If there are no leaves around, don't despair. Red oak leaves usually come to a point at the end of each lobe, while the lobes of white oak leaves are rounded. (Above) The bark of red oaks is usually tightly ridged and can have light colored “ski trails” running up and down. Red oak is one of the deciduous oak trees such as Quercus borealis that contains acorns with a cup-shaped base and spiky leaves whereas, white oak is one of the oak trees such as Quercus alba that contains leaf veins that remain behind the leaf margin and acorns which requires one to … The leaves measure between 5” and 9” (12 – 22 cm) long. How to tell red oak from white oak. Under ideal conditions, both oaks can reach 100 feet tall. While the characteristics vary from one species to the next, red oak has jagged leaves with sharp angles. You will notice that white oak is usually some sort of grayish shade, whether light or dark, and that the bark will appear to have a scaly appearance and feel to it. You can also tell the difference between a red oak and a white oak by looking at its bark. Can you determine whether the wood is red oak vs white oak? White oak matures at 75 feet and red oak at 80 feet. Loved your summary of the difference between red and white oaks – thank you – so clear. The red oaks have a much darker bark, with some so dark that they may even look almost black.