Red Oak leaves
by MaryLee Parker
Title
Red Oak leaves
Artist
MaryLee Parker
Medium
Mixed Media - Mix Media
Description
Identification
Oak trees are often characterized by coarsely toothed or lobed leaves, as well as tall, stately, branching forms. There are many species of oak native to the United States and North America, growing north into Canada and south into Mexico, but oaks also grow all over the world. Although their specifications range according to species, oaks generally prefer to grow in full sun. They are not usually picky about soil, and will grow in sand, loam or clay, in acidic or alkaline conditions, as long as soil is well-drained. Depending on species, they may prefer dry or wet conditions.
Yellow Fall Color
Several species of oak exhibit yellow fall color, caused by the carotene in their leaves that's visible after chlorophyll is depleted. The yellow shades are often combined with brown. Valley oak (Quercus lobata), native to California and winter hardy to USDA zones 7 through 9, turns attractive shades of bronze and gold in the fall. Chestnut oak (Quercus prinus), hardy to USDA zones 4 through 8, also turns shades of brown and yellow. Chinkapin oak (Quercus muehlenbergii), hardy to USDA zones 5 and above, is normally not grown for its yellow or brown fall color, as it is fairly undistinguished.
Red Fall Color
Several species of oak exhibit red fall color, and this hue is more likely to appear unaccompanied by brown. Pin oak (Quercus palustris), hardy to USDA zones 4 through 8, turns a deep red in the autumn, while scarlet oak (Quercus coccinea), hardy to USDA zones 4 through 9, is aptly named for its scarlet fall foliage. The red oak (Quercus rubra), hardy to USDA zones 4 through 8, does combine brown and red fall foliage.
Brown Fall Color
Many oaks that turn yellow or red in the fall will also exhibit some brown fall color concurrent with other colors, such as the chestnut oak’s yellow and brown fall foliage, or the brownish-red fall color of the red oak. Other oaks simply turn deep browns or copper colors when they change, such as the English oak (Quercus robur), winter hardy to USDA zones 5 through 8. English oak’s normally green leaves change to a coppery brown in autumn before falling off the tree.
Uploaded
November 27th, 2016
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