Species PlantsCherrybark Oak

Cherrybark Oak

Quercus pagoda

CommonPlant
Illustration of Cherrybark Oak (Quercus pagoda)

Cherrybark Oak is one of the largest and most commercially valuable oaks of the southeastern United States, reaching heights of 130 feet with a tall, straight trunk and deeply ridged, plated bark resembling that of black cherry — hence its common name. It grows on moist, fertile bottomland soils and lower slopes, producing small acorns in great abundance. Considered the premier timber oak of the South, it also provides outstanding wildlife value with its acorns consumed by deer, turkeys, and wood ducks.

Habitat
Moist bottomland forests, rich lower slopes, creek bottoms, fertile floodplains
Diet
Acorns eaten by wood ducks, deer, wild turkey, and squirrels; hosts many moth and butterfly larvae
How common
Common

Best time to see a Cherrybark Oak

The best time to see a Cherrybark Oak is March–September, when about 63% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 1,042 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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