The common name comes from the early practice of making shingles from the wood. The species name – imbricaria – is derived from the Latin word imbricatus, which means overlapping. The shingle oak is most recognizable for its combination of oak-exclusive acorns and unusual lobed leaves.
The leaves are alternate, lance-shaped, and have bristly teeth along the margins. The acorns are bitter and not a favorite of wildlife. This tree is no longer recommended in the United States because of its invasive tendencies, particularly in the eastern United States. The Sawtooth Oak has simple, alternately arranged leaves. The many parallel axillary veins on either side of the midrib that end at the margin in bristles.
Oak trees will attract a variety of birds, moths, butterflies and mammals to your yard, providing them with food and shelter. Post oak is a valuable contributor to wildlife food and cover. Acorns provide high energy food during fall and winter and are considered important in the diet of wild turkey, white-tailed deer, squirrels, and many other rodents.
Pin oak’s common name comes from the many short or pin-like branchlets on the main branches. Unlike most oaks, it does not have heavy horizontal branches. Instead, it has many slender branches that arch out, with the lower branches bending down. One of the few oaks not used for lumber; it warps badly so it is used for pellet wood for smokers.
It gets its common name from the distinctive bur-like acorn cup that typically encloses 2/3 to almost all of the nut. This renders it buoyant in flood areas. Birds and small mammals eat the acorns. The overcup oak has smaller acorns and slightly smaller leaves than the similar Bur Oak.
The trees have a great color during summer hence it turns to red foliage during the season. The foliage is an excellent source of food for wildlife and squirrels.2 The tree also has durable wood, which is beneficial to residents of these regions. The wood of the Northern Red Oak is excellent for making furniture.
The ruling majesty of the woods, the wise old English oak holds a special place in our culture, history, and hearts. It supports more life than any other native tree species in the UK; even its fallen leaves support biodiversity.
The wood of the chinkapin oak has been used for split-rail fences, railroad ties and construction lumber. It is noted historically for its role in fueling steamships along the Ohio River. While this durable wood made excellent fences in Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana, when farms fell by the way, the wooden fences were collected and placed on the river bank to sell to passing engineers.
The chestnut oak is noted for growing on steep, rocky hills where other oaks cannot survive. Its well-developed tap root makes this tree sturdy and adaptable under these unfavorable conditions. Acorns of chestnut oak are produced singly or in pairs. They are a wildlife staple.
The cherrybark tree has heavy strong wood that makes it an excellent timber tree for furniture and interior finish. This tree is also a pleasant shade tree and is a fast growing oak tree. Many wild animals and birds use the acorns of the cherrybark as food. Within the range of this oak, animals and birds include acorns as a substantial part (10 percent or more) of their diets.