How to Identify Oak Trees by Bark

Learn to recognize an oak variety by its bark

There are more than 400 species of oak in the world, and more than 80 in North America, where it is one of the mainstays of American hardwood forests. Since pioneer days, oaks have provided food, dyes and timber in vast quantities. Though it's easier to identify species of oak from the shape of leaves, you can also identify them from the color and texture of their bark, which varies widely from one species to another.

Things You'll Need

• Guide to oak species
• Computer with Internet connection
• Digital camera
• Pencil
• Pad of paper

Instructions

1. 

   Most, but not all, oak leaves have deeply serrated edges

   Start your identification project in the fall by learning the basic shapes of the oak leaf and its seed, the acorn. Most oak leaves have deeply serrated edges, and acorns are small, brown and capped. Zero in on the bark when you're fairly certain you're looking at an oak tree, and not some other species.

2. 

   White oak has lightly ridged, grayish bark

   Snap a picture of the bark when you come upon an oak tree. Note the color and texture of the bark. For example, a mature black oak has deep ridges in bark that is nearly black. A live oak has smoother bark that's brown with a touch of red. Jot down notes on color, texture and the shape of the tree's limbs.

3. 

   Live oak has brown bark with a touch of red

   Go to your local library and ask for a book on oak tree varieties. Compare your picture to the photos or illustrations until you find a match. Search by the climate and growing conditions in your area to narrow the possibilities. For example, don't bother researching live oaks if you live in a northern climate.

4. 

   Laurel oak has irregular, flat, rough-edged ridges

   Create a database by uploading bark pictures into the software program of your choice, and adding notes. You'll quickly learn to identify oak trees by their bark, in summer or winter.

Tips & Warnings

• Oak tree bark identification can be a fun project to work on with a child, and teaches good basic research skills.

References

• Growing Native: Tree Identification and Species List
• Virginia Department of Forestry: Tree Identification
• Hastings Reserve: California Oak Identification

Resources

• Purdue University Consumer Horticulture: Growing Trees from Seed