Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_00.gif)
Monday - October 14, 2013
From: Mayport, PA
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Plant Identification, Trees
Title: Identification of oak trees in Pennsylvania
Answered by: Jimmy Mills
QUESTION:
I am an avid hunter in PA. I found these nuts and was wondering what kind they are. There is a red oak beside this tree, and I know what a white oak is but this tree and it's nuts look to be from a live oak tree. I looked up images on the web and it looks to be the same as the live oak. I saw on your FAQ that PA is not known for having live oaks. So now I am not sure what kind of a tree or nuts this is. The nut is long and slender (not extremely long though) and the nut was bitter. Any information would be helpful, thanks.ANSWER:
The distribution maps for Quercus virginiana and Quercus fusiformis do indicate that Pennsylvania is not a native habitat for live oaks. This link to cookforest.com contains “Guide to Common Trees in Pennsylvania”. Scroll down to the section titled: Wide and flat; alternate arrangement, and you will discover six species of Oaks that make Pennsylvania home.
Black Oak Quercus velutina (Black oak)
Chestnut oak Quercus montana which is synonymous with Quercus michauxii (Swamp chestnut oak) and also Quercus prinus (Chestnut oak)
Northern Red Oak Quercus rubra (Northern red oak)
Pin Oak Quercus palustris (Pin oak)
Scarlet oak Quercus coccinea (Scarlet oak)
White Oak Quercus alba (White oak)
Hopefully you can determine the oak you have with this information.
More Trees Questions
Need plants to replace Red Tipped Photinias in Bonham, TX
April 11, 2015 - I have 7 red tipped photinias that had all their leaves eaten last summer by an infestation of grasshoppers. I do mean all. They are or were about 10 years old. Can you tell me if they will grow back ...
view the full question and answer
Repairing Previous Silver Maple Pruning Damage
May 09, 2015 - I cut a limb off my silver maple wrong and now the trunk is developing a hole. What is the best treatment?
view the full question and answer
Damage to cedar elm from Austin
August 16, 2013 - We have a cedar elm next to the corner of our house that has been dropping lots and lots of twigs with green leaves over the past 3 weeks, while our other elms have not. These rapidly pile up on the p...
view the full question and answer
Looking for a good cultivar of Prunus mexicana.
May 27, 2009 - Has anyone come up with a good cultivar of Prunus Mexicana? As in, one selected from the wild? Or a hybrid with a European plum? I'd like one in my yard (I have also wanted a good Purple Leaf Plum, b...
view the full question and answer
Quercus polymorpha or Mexican white oak
June 19, 2007 - On the Texas Oak Wilt Information Partnership website, they list a "Monterrey Oak" as one of the White Oaks (#3 in the FAQ section). I cannot find Monterrey Oak in your Explore Plants section; does...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |