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Quercus marilandica

black jack oak

A slow-growing, spreading tree eventually reaching up to 15m tall with deeply-cracked bark on mature specimens. Leaves up to 18cm long are three-lobed, glossy and dark green above with hairy, yellowish-brown undersides. Insignificant spring flowers are followed by small acorns in autumn

Other common names
jack oak
Synonyms
Quercus dilatata Raf.

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Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metres
Time to ultimate height
20–50 years
Ultimate spread
Wider than 8 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Green
Autumn Brown Yellow
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Fagaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Spreading branched
Potentially harmful
Pets (dogs): Harmful if eaten - for further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus

Quercus can be deciduous or evergreen trees or shrubs, with entire, lobed or toothed leaves; flowers inconspicuous, followed by characteristic acorns; sometimes good autumn colour

Name status

Correct

Plant range
C & CE USA

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in a well-drained, preferably acidic soil in full sun; tolerates poor soils and drought conditions

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by grafting

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Low Maintenance
Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to oak processionary moth, aphids, caterpillars, leaf-mining moths and oak gall wasps

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews amd honey fungus

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