I've never heard of shingle oak before. I'm originally from Oklahoma and it doesn't look like part of its range. I live in Missouri now and it shows to range thru here. I'll keep a look out for it! I'm always interested in learning about new trees (new to me). Thanks Ralphie Boy !
I'm just getting associated with hickories since they were a rarity where I'm from. If I remember right, the size and shape of the terminal leaflet had a lot to do with ID. Also the number of leaflets on a leaf stem was a clue. The size and shape of the buds as well. If you look up the various hickories, it should mention leaflet number in the description. Maybe in the spring I can get some pics of what I have around here.
If you have both American Elm and Slippery Elm (red elm) in your area, you can tell the difference by rubbing a leaf between your thumb and forefinger. Slippery elm is very rough and the American elm is smooth. Otherwise, the leaf shape is very similar. Slippery Elm American Elm
intheBigWoods , when trying to tell the difference between a northern red oak and a scarlet oak, take a look at the acorns. The scarlet oak acorn is about an inch long and the cap is bowl shaped and covers more than half of the acorn. The northern red oak acorn is about the same size but the cap is more saucer shaped and only covers about a 1/4 of the acorn.
Thanks, I will look at the acorns, this year is a huge acorn year for the red oaks. No acorns on the white oaks this year. Also a huge year for hickory nuts, more than ever in 35 years here. We did have record rain for the year.
I took some pics of buds from a shagbark hickory a few years ago. These may help. Pics were taken over a period of time to show the progression of the buds.
The shagbark is the easy one to identify, it's the other hickory types that are so similar and difficult to identify.
Acorn production seems to have very much to do with weather in the spring while the trees are flowering. Also seems to be very localized phenomenon for yields. Several deer hunters have told me that the deer are in people's yards early this year because there were no acorns and at least in my yard the white oaks had a great year for acorns and the deer were here cleaning them up. There were very few red oak acorns.
Here in Northern Kentucky we seem to have had a bumper crop of acorns, hickory nuts and buckeyes. Last winter was, more or less, mild and there were no late hard frosts to kill the mast and more than enough rain. That bumper crop of course created some big deer. This big 8 point was taken on my place this year.
We have to remember that red oak acorns take 2 yrs to mature but white oaks flower and produce mature acorns every year.
Excellent thread! I have been to 'Tree ID Class' 3 times. Local soil & water office or OSU extension office usually offers them at least once a year. I've forgotten much of the info, but retain enough to confidently ID most trees (in my locality) if I am standing near it using bark, leaf patterns, leaves, smell, location site and color. I have never been able to attend the winter class where buds and twig characteristics are used to ID. One thing I tell people who ask about trees is that you can have two trees of the same species and they will not necessarily look the same. I'm sure many have noticed little differences between what you see here on FHC and what you may have in your back yard at home. Bark texture, coloring and patterning, etc. Early on in learning, this book was indispensable to me... I still sometimes get *stumped by a tree that may be a little unusual for the species or some that are not very common in my area. I have ambitions to learn more about forest understories (shrubs, plants, edibles, etc). Would love to know more about all the little green stuff that grows under the trees.
It takes two years for Red Acorns to develop. 1 year for white varieties. Last year there was virtually no drop in my woods which is about 50% oak. Hickory, Pignut, Walnut and Beech all had a bumper year. This year many of my white oaks had a drop, which I was glad to see. Reports around the area were generally not real good for acorns this year in my local area. Lots and Lots of variables affect production. On a good year, it sounds like someone is making microwave popcorn when I drive the buggy down my trails.
Try walking around a yard under a oak tree barefoot during a good mast year. Oak trees have one week to pollinate in the Spring. Pollination requires wind to disperse the pollen. A late frost will mess things up as will rain washing the pollen to the ground and of course, no wind. These requirements can be localized as can a heavy acorn weevil Summer and/or Summer weather that can increase fungal infections. For those oaks that require two years to maturity a crop just has to make it thru two Summers of attack.
The Audobon books for the eastern and western region are awesome! Mine are over 35 yrs old and some of the pages are coming out of the binding but I HAVE to hang on to them! Is OSU Ohio state, Oklahoma state or Oregon state?
Great stuff Brad. I am still trying to navigate my way through social media totally new at it. Not sure how to send links or any fancy stuff like that. Not sure about Mo. But here in Oh. Ohio DNR Forestry has a good site on tree Id. Appreciate folks like you taking the time to share info. Love me some firewood hoarders and all the pics and sharing that happens here. So thankful for everyone who shares.
Welcome and glad to have ya. Just ask questions, there are several members on here that have great technical skills. I've had to ask a few myself.
