Acorns are the easiest way to spot an oak tree. If the tree produces acorns, it’s an oak. [1] X Expert Source Michael Simpson, PhDRegistered Professional Biologist Expert Interview. 25 June 2021. Lobed leaves are leaves that have rounded or pointed knobs extending out from the center line. While a few oaks do not have lobes, all of the leaves are generally symmetrical around a clear median line. [2] X Expert Source Michael Simpson, PhDRegistered Professional Biologist Expert Interview. 25 June 2021. Small, scaly bark. Bark on oak trees is variable, but it is generally made up of small, hard, and scaly bits of bark. This is unlike the large, flaky chunks of pines or the wallpaper-like bark on birch trees, and is much more cracked and grooved. [3] X Research source
On red oaks, the vein of the leave extends all the way out to the edge, creating this point.
General location – Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Northwest, Southwest Inland or coastal. Mountainous or flat terrain. [5] X Research source
Count at least 4-5 leaves when identifying, as this will help when you turn to the field guide.
Evergreen species can have leaves that are ‘entire’ (without lobes or teeth) or that have only faintly wavy edges. [6] X Expert Source Michael Simpson, PhDRegistered Professional Biologist Expert Interview. 25 June 2021.
If it’s summer, look at whether the leaves are dark green or light green, and whether they’re shiny or not, to help determine the species.
Turn to the appropriate section. Most guides are divided into a red oak section and a white oak section Narrow your selection down to the oaks specific to your area. A good guide should have distribution maps for each species. Once you have a list of possibilities, look at the pictures for each one to determine your tree.
5-7 lobes, fanning out wider as you get to the tip of the leaf. Indentations roughly halfway to the center. Bright, light green color. Lobes with rounded tips (like rabbit ears). [8] X Expert Source Michael Simpson, PhDRegistered Professional Biologist Expert Interview. 25 June 2021.
Usually 5 lobes. Wide, cross-like lobes. Leathery, dark texture and color.
Leaves can get up to 1ft long Wide, almost flat-ended lobes.
The edges of the leaves look like a serrated knife, but the veins don’t go all the way to the points. Leaf is wide on top, then gets smaller near the base. Leaves between 4-9" long and 4" wide. [9] X Research source [10] X Research source
Light-green leaves with 6-7 lobes. Indented roughly midway to the center. Pointed lobes may have two smaller points on either side and bristle-like tips (like those on a holly leaf but not sharp to the touch). [11] X Expert Source Michael Simpson, PhDRegistered Professional Biologist Expert Interview. 25 June 2021.
Leaves are dark green. Lobes divide at the end into many bristle-tipped teeth. Deep indentations.
Thin leaves with deep indentations, making the leaf look skinny. 5-7 lobes, each with multiple points at the end. Very bright, vibrant fall coloring to leaves. The northern Pin Oak has similar leaves, but a much longer acorn.
Dark green leaves. Large leaves, up to 12-inches long, that are wider at the ends than the base. [12] X Research source [13] X Research source
