Florida oaks
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November 30, 2024
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Did you know there are native oaks in Florida? I pictured Florida as all palm trees.
Through some research, I learned there are 17 species of oak (genus Quercus) that grow in Florida. In contrast, ten species of oak are listed in John Thomas Howell’s “Marin Flora.”
A black oak is reported in each list. However, this is just a common name. In Florida it’s Quercus velutina; in California it’s Quercus kelloggii.
If you are trying to identify oaks you have to look at the leaves and the acorns. Does the tree lose its leaves in the fall (deciduous) or stay green all year (evergreen)? Are the leaves oval shaped or lobed? What does the acorn look like? Long and pointed, or short and round?
Our common oaks are coast live oak, Quercus agrifolia; valley oak, Quercus lobata; and black oak, Quercus kelloggii.
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Katie Martin