black oak
Quercus velutina
USDA zones3 to 9
SunHandles full sun to partial shade
WaterHandles dry to moist soil
Size50 to 60 feet tall50 to 60 feet wide
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer, autumn, winter
- Bloom color
- Yellowish-green
- Foliage color
- Green
- Fall color
- Yes
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay
- Soil pH
- Acid, alkaline, neutral
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Black oak (Quercus velutina) is a tree for specimen planting, shade gardens, and naturalized areas. It is hardy to USDA zone 3, or down to -40°F (-40°C). This plant likes full sun to part shade and dry to moist, sandy, loamy, or clay soil. Its large, spreading branches form an open crown, and the glossy leaves often turn orange or red in fall. Deer tend to browse other plants first. Do not prune it during the growing season in areas with oak wilt.
Pairs well with New England aster, Sedge, Nodding onion, and Western sword fern.
Native range
Eastern United States and southeastern Canada.