Quercus laurifolia
(Laurel Oak)
“Laurel Oak” by Chris M Morris is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Stephen F. Austin State University, Jeremy Stovall, Source
A large sized tree, 50′ to 60′ tall, occasionally reaching 100′ with a deep crown.
Leaves: simple, alternate, persistent until early spring, elliptical or rarely oblong-obovate, 2″ to 4″ long, 1/2″ wide, wedge shaped, lustrous green above, pale below, midrib, yellow.
Flowers: Unisexual, the staminate, in hairy, red stemmed catkins 2″ to 3″ long, the pistillate, usually solitary.
Fruit: An acorn, mostly solitary, commonly subsessile, brownish black.
Twigs: Slender, deep red, glabrous, terminal buds, small, ovoid, acute, reddish brown, lateral buds, similar but smaller, leaf scars and pith.
Bark: Dark reddish brown, smooth at first, becoming divided into deep fissures separated by broad, flat ridges.
Comments: A common ornamental wood
Stephen F. Austin State University, Jeremy Stovall, Source
Stephen F. Austin State University, Jeremy Stovall, Source.