All Oaks can be categorized into 2 different major families or classifications, White or Red, and then further identified into subspecies. Identifying specific oaks into intermediate classifications or subspecies can get to be fairly tricky and honestly quite confusing with over 200 subscpecies across North America. Oak trees will vary from region to region and there's numerous variables that will impact how a tree, it's leaves, and acorns look. Anything from soil type, weather events, disease, maturity, etc can alter a tree's or acorn's appearance. So we're going to keep it simple and establish a solid foundation by simply learning the difference between the two major classifications.... White or Red?
Generally speaking, White Oak acorns have the lowest tannic acid levels which provide them with a sweeter flavor over Red Oak acorns. Thus this nut is what deer prefer when available and will continue to consume them throughout the year while they are still edible. Mast drops will vary across the United States but as a general rule of thumb White Oak acorns will start falling late August/early September and lose their acorns relatively quick. Typically, by mid winter any White Oak acorns still laying on the forest floor have either rotted or started the germination process. White oaks produce acorns every year and it's common for every 3rd year to be a heavier crop for the specific tree.
While there are a few differentiations between leaf types we're keeping it simple...K.I.S.S. White Oak leaves have rounded lobes, Red Oak leaves have pointed lobes with a needle or bristle at the end. There are subspecies of oaks, for example a shingle oak member of the Red Oak family, that carry leaves without lobes but generally speaking you can determine which family it belongs to by whether or not the leaf carries a bristle at the tip of the leaf.
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