Top 25 Oak Facts

• 1.       As you know, Oak is a tree or shrub. It belongs to genus Quercus of the beech family, Fagaceae.

• 2.       There are approximately more than 600 species of Oaks.

• 3.      Mexico contains the largest number of Oak Species, has 160 species of which 109 are endemic. While China contains 200 species, and 90 occurring in the United States.  One of the most beautiful oak trees is northern red oak (Quercus rubra). That’s leaves have a unique red color. Red oak is also the State tree of New Jersey.

• 4.       In spring, Oaktree produces both male and female flowers.

• 5.       The fruit is oak nut borne called an acorn,  a cup-like structure known as a cupule takes 6 to 18 months to mature, depending on their species.

• 6.       Oaks have spirally arranged leaves, with lobate margins in many species; some have serrated leaves or entire leaves with smooth margins.

• 7.       Oak Tree survives in various forests, temperate climates, Mediterranean and tropical areas.

• 8.       Oak Trees are prone to fungal diseases, which may induce rotting of the inner part of the plant.

• 9.       Also, 78 species of oaks trees are listed as endangered because of the habitat destruction, over-exploitation, diseases, and introduction of invasive species.

• 10.   Oak trees can reach 75 feet in height and 9 feet in width and their branches can stretch to 145 feet in length.

• 11.   Oak trees are usually large in size. One of the biggest oak trees is located in Goose Island State Park. This oak is 45 feet tall, 35 feet wide; with a crown that has 90 feet in diameter.

• 12.   Due to massive size Oat Tree need a large amount of water per day, it has the ability to absorb 50 gallons of water each day.

• 13.   The Leaves of Oak trees can be lobed, serrated or flat on the edges, however, in some species the leaves are bristles.

• 14.   One of the interesting Oak Facts is it produces both male and female flowers. Male flowers are arranged in clusters called catkins. Female flowers are much smaller.

• 15.   The Oat tree fruit is called acorn, and production starts at the age of 20 to 25 years.

• 16.   Oak Tree produces over 2,000 acorns each year, but 1 in 10,000 acorns will grow up into an Oak tree.

• 17.   Many animals like, ducks, deer, squirrels, woodpeckers, rats, mice, pigeons, and bears feed on acorns.

• 18.   The Oak Tree wood is very hard and strong, normally used in the manufacturing of Yamaha drums, ships, furniture, cosmetic creams, and floorings materials. Oakwood is also using in special aroma to some beverages. s

• 19.   Oak Tree is the national plant of several countries like USA, France, England, Germany, Poland, Latvia, and Serbia.

• 20.   Oak Tree symbolizes strength and endurance. They feed various living creatures with their leaves and acorns.

• 21.   Young Acorns, leaves, and buds contain tannic acid that entices toxic effects in cattle. Tannic acid induces the formation of ulcers, Kidney damaged and result in malformation in the newly born cattle.

• 22.   Most of Oak species live more than 200 years, but few trees that have the ability to survive over a thousand years.

• 23.   Oak trees played a vital role in human history. They built their homes, manufacturing tools, and constructed.

• 24.   The largest living oak tree is located in Mandeville, Louisiana. The oldest known living oak trees with an estimated age of 1,500 years.

• 25.   The aging of wine in the oak barrels was the historic practice of famous winemakers. It is still practiced in our days

Source: CP