26 Silver Maple - originally mis-identified as Oak: info to be updated
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Basic Information about this tree
- Scientific Name: Quercus marilandica, Fagaceae
- Common name: Jack Oak, Ashe’s Blackjack Oak, Western Blackjack Oak
- Deciduous
- Sunlight / Moisture requirements / Soil preference: Full sun; chalky/loamy soils – prefers dry siliceous or argillaceous barrens, sterile woods.
- Flowering type: 2-4” flowers, fruit harvest in late summer/early fall; 1 -2 long elliptical acorns on short stalk with reddish-brown scaly cap. Often faint striping detected with sharp point at tip of acorn.
- Pollination strategy:
- Native
- Age Estimate/ Health:
- Longevity: 100 to 200 years
- Mature Size: 50ft tall by 35-50 ft wide
- GPS Coordinates
Mature Tree in Winter/ Summer
Leaves in Summer / Fall
Flowers - Monoecious
Fruit Unripe / Ripe
Bark of Mature Tree / young tree
Nearly black, thick and furrowed trunk has contorted limbs; orange inner bark
The woody root system of this tree produces a deep taproot with more shallow lateral roots.
Uses in Traditional and Modern Eras
Value for wildlife: Nesting/cover and fruit for birds, mammals, rodents, deer. Attracts birds & butterflies.
Utility for Humans: Wood burns very hot so it is prized for cooking/heating. However, the wood pops when it burns – so use in a wood burning fireplace could be dangerous. Colorful fall leaves make this a great ornamental tree.
Traditional uses in Native American Tree Medicine (historical). Information provided by Paul Red Elk, Lakota Medicine Man: