The Nuttall Oak was not distinguished as a species until 1927, when it was named for Thomas Nuttall, British-American botanist and ornithologist. This Oak is quickly replacing Q. palustris and Q. shumardii in zones 8 - 9 due to it's adapatability, reddish purple new growth, reddish fall color and clean leaf drop in autumn.

Bark: Gray or brown, smooth. Becoming black and furrowed into flat scaly ridges.

Foliage: Alternate, simple, 5 - 9 lobed with wide rounded sinuses. Each leaf is 4 - 9 inches long and 2 - 5 inches wide. Dark green in summer changing to a reddish color in the fall.

Flowers: Mononecious. The flowers appear in March - April when the leaves are emerging. The male flower, a catkin, appears 10 - 14 days before the female flower. The female flowers are inconspicuous.

Fruit: Acorns are 3/4 - 1 1/4 inch long, oblong, and covered by a 1/3 - 1/2 inch cap. Fruit ripens from September through Ocotber of the second year and fall between September and February.

---

More Information

Tree ID Number:
Scientific Name:	Quercus nuttallii
Mature Height:	40 - 60 ft
Canopy Spread (Diameter):	25 - 35 ft
Branching Shape:	Rounded crown - irregular
Growth Rate:	Moderate
Wood Strength:
Cold Hardiness Zone:	5 - 9
Soil Moisture Requirements:	Moist
Light Requirements:	Sun
Common Pests:	Galls, cankers, weevils, borers, and iron chlorosis
Comments:	Similar to the Pin Oak.

Find this tree on the Campus Map

---

<< Previous Tree • All Trees • Next Tree >>