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THE OAKS AND CHESTNUT

How to tell them from other trees: The oaks are rather difficult to identify and, in studying them it will often be necessary to look for more than one distinguishing character. The oaks differ from other trees in bearing acorns. Their leaves have many lobes and their upper lateral buds cluster at the top of the twigs. The general contour of each oak presents a characteristic branching and sturdiness uncommon in other trees.

The chestnut differs from other trees in bearing burrs and its bark is also distinctly characteristic (see chestnut trees in Lesson 8).

How to tell them from each other: There are two groups of oaks, the white oak and the black oak.

The white oaks mature their acorns in one year and, therefore, only acorns of the same year can be found on trees of this group.

The black oaks take two years in which to mature their acorns and, therefore, young acorns of the present year and mature acorns of the previous year may be found on the same tree at one time.
Mature and Young Acorns
The leaves of the white oaks have rounded margins and rounded lobes, while those of the black oaks have pointed margins and sharp pointed lobes.

The bark of the white oaks is light colored and breaks up in loose flakes, while that of the black oaks is darker and deeply ridged or tight.



WHITE OAK (Quercus alba)

Distinguishing characters: The massive ramification of its branches is characteristic of this species and often an easy clue to its identification. The bark has a light gray color—lighter than that of the other oaks—and breaks into soft, loose flakes. The leaves are deeply lobed. The buds are small, round and congested at the end of the year’s growth. The acorns usually have no stalks and are set in shallow, rough cups. The kernels of the acorns are white and palatable.
White Oak Leaves and Acorns
Form and size: The white oak grows into a large tree with a wide-spreading, massive crown, dissolving into long, heavy, twisted branches. When grown in the open it possesses a short sturdy trunk; in the forest its trunk is tall and stout.
White Oak Tree
Range: Eastern North America.
White Oak Range
Soil and location: The white oak thrives in almost any well-drained, good, deep soil except in a very cold and wet soil. It requires plenty of light and attains great age.
White Oak Acorns
Enemies: The tree is comparatively free from insects and disease except in districts where the Gypsy moth is common, in which case the leaves of the white oak are a favorite food of its caterpillars.

Value for planting: The white oak is one of the most stately trees. Its massive form and its longevity make the tree suitable for both lawn and woodland planting but it is not used much because it is difficult to transplant and grows rather slowly.
White Oak Leaves
Commercial value: The wood is of great economic importance. It is heavy, hard, strong and durable and is used in cooperage, construction work, interior finish of buildings and for railroad ties, furniture, agricultural implements and fuel.



BLACK OAK (Quercus velutina)

Distinguishing characters: The bark is black, rough and cut up into firm ridges especially at the base of the tree. The inner bark has a bright yellow color: the leaves have sharp points and are wider at the base than at the tip. The buds are large, downy and sharp pointed. The acorns are small and have deep, scaly cups the inner margins of which are downy. The kernels are yellow and bitter.
Black Oak Leaves and Acorns
Form and size: The tree grows in an irregular form to large size, with its branches rather slender as compared with the white oak and with a more open and narrow crown.
The Black Oak
Range: Eastern North America.
Black Oak Range
Soil and location: It will grow in poor soils but does best where the soil is rich and well drained.

Enemies: None of importance.

Value for planting: The black oak is the poorest of the oaks for planting and is rarely offered by nurserymen.

Commercial value: The wood is heavy, hard and strong, but checks readily and is coarse grained. It is of little value except for fuel. The bark is used for tannin.

Other common names: Yellow oak.



RED OAK (Quercus rubra)

Distinguishing characters: The bark is perpendicularly fissured into long, smooth, light gray strips giving the trunk a characteristic pillar effect. It has the straightest trunk of all the oaks. The leaves possess more lobes than the leaves of any of the other species of the black oak group. The acorns, the largest among the oaks, are semispherical with the cups extremely shallow. The buds are large and sharp pointed, but not as large as those of the black oak. They also have a few fine hairs on their scales, but are not nearly as downy as those of the black oak.
Red Oak Leaves and Acorn
Form and size: The red oak is the largest of the oaks and among the largest of the trees in the northern forests. It has a straight trunk, free from branches to a higher point than in the white oak. The branches are less twisted and emerge at sharper angles than do those of the white oak.
Red Oak Crown
Range: It grows all over Eastern North America and reaches north farther than any of the other oaks.
Red Oak Range
Soil and location: It is less fastidious in its soil and moisture requirements than the other oaks and therefore grows in a great variety of soils. It requires plenty of light.

Enemies: Like most of the other oaks, this species is comparatively free from insects and disease.
Red-Pea Gall
Value for planting: The red oak grows faster and adapts itself better to poor soil conditions than any of the other oaks and is therefore easy to plant and easy to find in the nurseries. It makes an excellent street tree, is equally desirable for the lawn and is hardly surpassed for woodland planting.
Red Oak Leaves
Commercial value: The wood is hard and strong but coarse grained, and is used for construction timber, interior finish and furniture. It is inferior to white oak where strength and durability are required.
Red Oak Leaves

Directions

Study the lesson for one week.

Over the week:

  • Read the lesson.
  • Review the synopsis.
  • Recite aloud the vocabulary words and their definitions.
  • Learn the concepts.
  • Complete the enrichment activities.
  • Study the review questions.

Synopsis

This lesson overviews the mighty oak tree, which is identified by its many lobed leaves and acorns. Black oaks have both young and mature acorns as they take two years to mature, while the acorns of the white oak mature in one year and are all of similar maturity. The scientific (Latinized) names of the three covered species of oak tree are Quercus alba (white oak), Quercus velutina (black oak), and Quercus rubra (red oak).

Vocabulary

Acorn: The fruit of the oak, being an oval nut growing in a woody cup or cupule.
Lobe: Any projection or division of a leaf, especially one of a somewhat rounded form.
Coarse Grained: Having a texture Composed of large parts or particles.
Tannin: A yellow or brown bitter-tasting compound present in some tree barks, acorns, and other plants.

Concepts

ACORNS: FRUIT OF THE OAK TREE

  1. Acorns are the fruit or nut of the oak tree.
  2. Acorn consist of a seed surrounded by a tough shell which sits in a woody cup or cupule.
  3. As acorns each include a seed or embryonic plant, they can grow into new oak trees.

Recite and point out the following parts of the acorn on the diagram:

  1. Cupule (A)
  2. Pericarp (B)
  3. Testa (seed coat) (C)
  4. Cotyledons (D)
  5. Plumule (E)
  6. Radicle (F)
  7. Remains of the Style (G)

Acorns are rich in many nutrients. Many animals eat acorns including:

  1. Squirrels
  2. Birds
  3. Mice
  4. Pigs
  5. Deer
  6. Bears

However, the tannins in acorns cannot be digested by some animals and are toxic to:

  1. Horses
  2. Cattle

Many indigenous people of North America used acorns as a food source. Some people cook with acorns today. Acorns can be:

  1. Roasted
  2. Ground and Dried into Flour
  3. Made into Soup, Cakes, and Noodles
  4. Some Species Can be Eaten Raw (those very low in tannins)

Enrichment

Activity 1: Narrate the Lesson

  • After reading or listening to the lesson, narrate the lesson aloud using your own words.

Activity 2: Study the Lesson Pictures

  • Study the lesson pictures and describe how they relate to the lesson.

Activity 3: Take a Nature Walk

  • Bring a small sketchbook, specimen collection bags, an unbreakable cup, and a bottle of water and embark on a nature walk.
  • Seek out a white oak tree and a black oak tree.
  • Remember: a white oak has acorns of the same maturity while a black oak will have both young acorns and mature acorns.
  • Study and sketch the appearance and habitat of the trees.
  • Collect a selection of oak leaves for Activity 4.

Collect several promising acorns per child (see NOTES 1 - 3) for Activity 5 and for Lesson 30 in the spring.

  • NOTE 1: Try to collect acorns directly from the trees. If impossible, collect those off the ground that are newly fallen, plump, and large.
  • NOTE 2: Avoid moldy, crushed, damaged, or holey acorns.
  • NOTE 3: Remove the acorn caps but do not tear the acorn. Acorns are generally ready for harvesting when the cap is easily removed without tearing the acorn.
  • NOTE 4: Use the cup and water to perform a float test. Discard any acorns that float, as they are likely infested with insects.
  • Use the gathered specimens and sketches to create the field book entry.

Activity 4: Complete a Field Book Entry   

After your nature walk, complete pages 23-26 in 'Science Field Book for Fourth Grade.'

Activity 5: Prepare Acorns for Spring Planting

  • Float test your acorns by placing them in water.
  • Discard any bad acorns that float or are soft.
  • (Parents) Protect the acorns from mold by cleaning them with a diluted solution of bleach and water.
  • Cover the acorn in some barely damp peat moss and seal tightly in a Ziploc-style bag.
  • Store the bagged acorns in the refrigerator.
  • Check periodically - the peat moss should not be too wet or too dry (barely damp) and the acorns may begin to sprout.
  • Do NOT freeze the acorns or they will not survive.
  • Keep your acorns safe for the springtime and Lesson 30.

Review

Question 1

What is the purpose of an acorn?
1 / 6

Answer 1

Acorns are fruit containing the seeds or embryonic plants of the oak tree. Acorns can grow into new oak trees.
1 / 6

Question 2

How can you tell the difference between white and black oak trees?
2 / 6

Answer 2

Black oaks have both young and mature acorns while the acorns of the white oak are all of similar maturity.
2 / 6

Question 3

Can people eat acorns?
3 / 6

Answer 3

Yes, people may eat acorns. Acorns can be made into soups, cakes, and noodles.
3 / 6

Question 4

Should you feed acorns to pigs?
4 / 6

Answer 4

Yes, pigs can eat acorns.
4 / 6

Question 5

Should you feed acorns to cows and horses?
5 / 6

Answer 5

No, acorns are toxic to cows and horses.
5 / 6

Question 6

Why are acorns toxic to cows and horses?
6 / 6

Answer 6

Horses and cows cannot properly digest the tannins in acorns.
6 / 6

  1. What is the purpose of an acorn? Acorns are fruit containing the seeds or embryonic plants of the oak tree. Acorns can grow into new oak trees.
  2. How can you tell the difference between white and black oak trees? Black oaks have both young and mature acorns while the acorns of the white oak are all of similar maturity.
  3. Can people eat acorns? Yes, people may eat acorns. Acorns can be made into soups, cakes, and noodles.
  4. Should you feed acorns to pigs? Yes, pigs can eat acorns.
  5. Should you feed acorns to cows and horses? No, acorns are toxic to cows and horses.
  6. Why are acorns toxic to cows and horses? Horses and cows cannot properly digest the tannins in acorns.

References

  1. 'Studies of Trees' by Jacob Joshua Levison. gutenberg.org/ebooks/16116. n.p.
  2. 'Keeler Oak Tree - distance photo by Msact (CC BY-SA 3.0).' Wikimedia Commons. commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Keeler_Oak_Tree_-_distance_photo,_May_2013.jpg. n.p.
  3. 'Acorn.' Wikimedia Commons. commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Acorn_diagram.jpg
  4. 'Acorn Diagram by KDS444 (CC BY-SA 3.0)' Wikipedia.
  5. 'How to plant an oak tree from an acorn' ca.audubon.org/conservation/how-plant-oak-tree-acorn.

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