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Cherrybark Oak

Quercus pagoda

Cherrybark oak is a magnificent, fast-growing red oak of rich Southern bottomlands, with cherry-like scaly bark and a tall straight trunk. One of the finest large shade and timber oaks, and a heavy acorn producer. Its acorns are traditional food once the bitter tannins are leached out and the seed ground into flour.

Family

Fagaceae

Type

tree

Lifespan

perennial

Height

120–120 ft

Spacing

30–70 ft apart

Light

sun, part shade

Soil moisture

moist

Soil pH

acidic

Bloom

March, April, May

Bloom colors

green, brown

Wildlife value

butterflies, pollinators, mammals, songbirds, larval host

Caterpillar hosts

~557 butterfly & moth species

Landscape uses

naturalizing

Native states

AL, AR, DC, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MD, MO, MS, NC, NJ, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA