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Step 1
Examine the leaf. Most oaks have broad, flat leaves with multiple symmetrical lobes. The lobes themselves may be pointy or round-white oaks, one of the most common variety, are round, while red oaks, another common tree, are pointy.
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Step 2
Look for acorns. If you spot fallen acorns around the base of tree, it is probably an oak. Acorn characteristics vary based on the variety of oak, but tend to be smaller than an inch long and have a smooth, tan nut with a rough cap.
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Step 3
Observe the height of the tree. Many varieties of oak are quite tall, and may be the tallest trees in a forested area. Where there are many other trees, the oak may not grow to its full height and width capacity. However, it still appears relatively large and with branches extending outward.
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Step 4
Examine the bark which is usually rough, with grooves between the ridges of bark. Certain oak trees have variegated colors of bark or some spots of color, but most tend to have a grayish-brown base color.
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Step 5
Identify oak hybrids and shrub oaks. When multiple varieties of oak blend, they may create an intermediate variety that is difficult to identify. These hybrids tend to be more shrublike than treelike, and can have smaller, rounder leaves than usual.
